Worship
Scripture
Reading through Leviticus, we see one word repeated frequently: unclean. In English, we typically think of unclean as simply “dirty”. However, in the context in Leviticus there is a connotation that takes it beyond simply meaning dirty. The word “unclean” we see in Leviticus 14 in Hebrew is: טומאה (pronounced ṭum’ah). It is a word meaning ritual or ceremonial impurity. It goes beyond the idea of too much dirt under your fingernails and extends towards an uncleanliness that separates us from the holiness of God. As we read through the book of Leviticus we see that many things can make a person unclean. So, the Jews of this time spent a great deal of their day either avoiding things that would make them unclean or ritually cleaning themselves over and over. This had to have been exhausting. Not to mention, it wasn’t as simple as washing your hands in the sink. There were very specific rules to remember or consult the priests about to absolutely ensure you were “clean” in God’s eyes.
I’m that guy who never washes my car. Sometimes Bree and I will take her car through a carwash simply because Bree finds it entertaining. However, my car has dirt from Georgia still on it from when I moved to Texas seven years ago. My dad used to joke, “You know a clean car gets better gas mileage because it’s carrying less weight!” If I was a Jew during this time, I would be in trouble. Thankfully, I don’t have to bear this burden because I have something the Jews in Leviticus didn’t have: Christ’s cleanliness.
What a precious gift it is to be clean in God’s eyes all the time because of the blood of Christ. We need not seek out animal sacrifices, isolate ourselves outside the town until sunset, nor must we scrape the plaster from the walls of our soul each time there is a blemish or stain. No, Christ has paid the ultimate price for us and conquered what atonement could not conquer: uncleanliness – a separation from God.
Prayer
HONOR GOD
John 3:16 NIV
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God has given us new life in Christ. Take a moment and thank Him for this incredible gift!
ASK GOD
John 3:21 NIV
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
Living by truth brings light and sight. Ask God to give you a heart for His truth. What do you need to confess to Him? Where do you need His help?
SUBMIT TO GOD
John 3:18 NIV
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Submit your heart to God today and live free of condemnation!
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, thank you for these passages that illustrate what the Jews went through in order to stay pure in your eyes. Thank you that we do not have to bear the same burdens. Thank you for making the yolk of Christ light and perfect. Lead us to seek closeness and “cleanliness” in your eyes that we may honor Christ and his sacrifice he made for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.