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Tuesday, February 17th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Leviticus 4:1-5:19
Mark 2:13-3:6
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 10:1-2
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1cOxd5w
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
He shall bring the bull to the door of the tabernacle of meeting before the Lord, lay his hand on the bull’s head, and kill the bull before the Lord. – Lev 4:4
The Biblical practice of the laying on of hands began in Levitical Law. If a man or woman unintentionally sinned, he or she could make atonement with a sacrifice. The priest would lay his hand on the head of a bull, imparting the sin to it, and then sacrifice the animal to pay for whatever sin had been committed.
Our New Covenant practice of praying with the laying on of hands is much different. No longer do we impart sin and death; now we impart righteousness and life! There is a tangible transference of the anointing we can expect to receive when we ask for prayer. That anointing will then empower us to go out and do everything God has called us to do!
The laying on of hands is modeled after Jesus’ ministry. In Luke 4:40, as He was approached by many sick men and women, “He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.”
We see the disciples model His behavior in the Book of Acts. The apostles, “prayed…[and] laid hands on them” (Acts 6:5-6). Those who had received prayer, and an impartation of God’s anointing, were then empowered to go out and perform supernatural signs and wonders!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for the power of laying hands on one another when we pray. When we need prayer, remind us to ask others to lay hands on us; when we give prayer, encourage us to boldly lay hands on those for whom we pray!