Obey out of Love

Today (February 15) I read Exodus 26:9-29:9 and Mark 6:27-7:28. My favorite verses are:

Exodus 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.

Mark 6:34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

Some of the consequences in the Old Testament seem extremely harsh. The High Priest was to have bells sewn on the hem of his robe so that it would make noise. He had to be heard when he entered the holy place in the tabernacle; otherwise, he would die. God made specific requirements for the priests; if they did not obey those requirements, they were punished. The penalty for disobedience to God was death. God still expects obedience from his children; but since we are living under the New Testament rules, we experience more mercy. Jesus had compassion on the people who were wandering around like lost sheep because they did not understand what God required from them. Instead of striking them dead, he taught them many things. As His children, we need to be willing learners and obedient followers.