February 16 - First Fruits

Leviticus 1:1-3:17

Mark 1:29-2:12

Psalm 35:17-28

Proverbs 9:13-18

It is interesting that, in so many instances in today's reading, it is made clear that the offering to God is to be "without defect", or of the "finest flour".  God gave the Israelites their freedom, their lives, their food and water in the desert, and He looked for the kind of relationship with them that would allow the Israelites to continue to receive His blessing, by making sure nothing was more important.  Not livestock without blemish, from which one might hope to breed even more such perfect animals, not the flour slaved over that might've made the finest bread for their own consumption.  God seemed to be telling them, even then, that life was so much more than food.

What is the best we can give to God?  Many tithe, and I believe personally that is a great place to start.  But God looks at what is in the heart - in Matthew 15 Jesus says "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean'.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts..."  I am led to believe that the best we can give to God is action, is a life that exhibits a clean heart - one focused on, one that places the greatest priority on, that relationship with Him.

How nice that we have two examples - first, in Simon's mother in law, whom Jesus healed.  I don't know about anyone else, but when I have been ill and the fever leaves me, all I want to do is lie down and recuperate.  She reciprocated Jesus's love, got up and began to wait on Him and the other disciples.  He was her priority.  The second example was Jesus Himself.  After a long day's work driving out demons, healing the sick and preaching His word, had I been in His place, I imagine I would've wanted to sleep in a bit longer.  But He got up, very early in the morning, and communed with His Father - offering His Father His own firstfruits.  

In these days, it isn't easy to offer first fruits.  Who among us hasn't experienced condescending amusement, even derision from someone we know, because we believe in God and try to live manifesting that belief?  Who among us hasn't had our shortcomings and sinfulness held up in front of us as we try to live according to Jesus's teaching?  Even worse, which of us hasn't measured ourselves harshly, found ourselves wanting, and criticized ourselves because of our own sinfulness, to the point of discouragement and despair?

When these times and this discouragement come - and they will - how wonderful the psalm today as a reminder of God's strength and help.  When our enemies "devise false accusations" and "sneer at me and say 'Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it! '" how wonderful to have a God we can ask to be near, to speak out, to "Awake, and rise to my defense!"

Father, orient our hearts rightly that you are our greatest, our only priority, and grant that, each day, we give You our best, however we may.  And when the world's oppression threatens us, defend us that we might not be distracted from the relationship You want us to have with You.