February 9
Ex 29:1-30:10 | PS 31:19-24 | Prov 8:14-26 | Matt 26:14-46
How much, or what are you willing to "give up" in order to become a follower of Jesus? Sanctification, which is related to the word, "saint", refers to being set apart, to be made holy, so that we may be used by God. Oswald Chambers wrote:, "Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God. The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person's life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him." Quite frankly, sin stinks. We might not want to admit this but we are immersed in it, as we toy with it daily. This is not a game. It literally cost Jesus His life. May we seriously consider what it means to be called by God unto His service.
We read in Exodus 29, the sanctification of the High priest to be used in the service of God. Notice in 29:10, that the hands of the priests were placed on the bull before the sacrifice. The bull was completely innocent, yet this transfer had to take place. We read a little later in 29:20, in one of the next animals to be sacrificed, an innocent ram, that a portion of the blood was to be put on the priest's ear, thumb, and big toe. This was so that the priest would have an ear consecrated to hear the voice of God, hands consecrated to do the service of God, and feet that are consecrated in order to walk in the path of God. Also in our reading today, we read of our completely innocent sacrifice, Jesus Christ, as He is about to die in our place, that our sins may be transferred onto the innocent Lamb of God. Anyone who has ever gone to church has heard this portion of Scripture so often, that the significance might be missed as He institutes communion in the Last Supper, as we read in Matthew 26:26-28, " And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." This is not a cute little portion of a church service, it reminds us of the transfer, that doesn't take place weekly, but took place once and for all 2000 years ago. The transfer was indeed perfect, that's why it only had to be done once. Partaking in communion is our reminder of this transfer.
He is so strong, yet sadly, we are often so weak, as Jesus pointed out to Peter, James and John in Matthew 26:41, "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” It is why in the Old Testament. there were so many sacrifices, daily sacrifices, morning and night. If our desire is to be more like Jesus, to be sanctified, we need to be around Him, reminded of Him, surrounded by Him daily, constantly. Our flesh is a constant reminder of our life outside the Spirit. Either in Him, or not in Him, it really is that clear. We know the difference whether we like to admit it or not.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: