THE STORY OF JESUS: Leviticus 21-24
“No man who has any defect may come near.” (Leviticus 21:18)
We were made to be complete, whole and holy… yet no one is.
These requirements for the priests seem to require ‘perfection’.
The whole law of Moses seems extreme, both in its demands and its punishments.
It makes one wonder, ‘who can stand before God, who is good enough?
“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart.” (Psalm 24:3-4)
Adam and Eve were, before they rebelled – they were very good (Genesis 1:31)
And Jesus is perfectly obedient, and God honors Him for His righteousness (Matthew 3:17).
But how does that help me, how can I presume to approach God with my moral defects?
Do you sometimes feel unworthy, do you feel the burden of your guilt and shame?
“But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-24)
We have all sinned, we all fall short; but trusting Jesus, God accepts us as righteous.
We may now approach God, and serve God, with confidence… because of Jesus.
Of course I am not perfect, but He is, and God accepts me with Him.
Now because of Jesus, “anyone who has any defect may come near!”
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I know my defects, and so do You. And yet You look at me – like the many sinners You called – and say ‘Come follow me!’ Amazing grace, amazing joy, I may draw near to God without fear.
‘I am the Lord, who made you holy and who brought you out of Egypt to be your God. I am the Lord.’
The refrain throughout the reading was ‘I am the Lord.’
To be in the presence of the ‘I am’ we/I must be clean. That is only a possibility in the blood of Jesus. No longer the sacrifices except the sacrifice of Jesus Who set me right with God. Nothing but the blood of Jesus will do.
And I must do as the Lord commands for He said Do this and live.
Living for Jesus.
GodStrong.
Only a possibility if I am SpiritLed.
He has made me clean so that I can serve.
What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Refrain:
Oh! precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Nothing can for sin atone,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Naught of good that I have done,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
This is all my hope and peace,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
This is all my righteousness,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Now by this I’ll overcome—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
Now by this I’ll reach my home—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
Glory! Glory! This I sing—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus,
All my praise for this I bring—
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
How amazing is this grace? Even when I have yet to forgive myself…
God forgives me when I humbly come before him. There is two types of people. Those who believe they don’t need Gods grace and forgiveness because pride stands in the way and they believe they are nearly “perfect.” And then there’s those who know and admit they fall short and humbly come before Christ (sometimes on their knees) admitting they need his mercy, grace and love. Adam and Eve didn’t know what shame and guilt looked like till they realized they were naked. What moves me to tears is even though they rebelled and realized their nakedness…God made clothing for them. “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” Genesis 3:21
He did this so that they wouldn’t be present to shame, guilt and fear. That’s another sermon in itself but amazing love, how can it be that You my King would die for a sinner like me?