February 16: Of the Inability to Find a Good Title

Leviticus 1:1-3:17

Mark 1:29-2:12

Psalm 35:17-28

Proverbs 9:13-18

Yeah, I couldn't think of a title today.  In any case…

In the Zondervan NIV Study Bible, Leviticus is described as "a manual of regulations" which "explains how [the Israelites] are to be His holy people and to worship Him in a holy manner."  And so in today's reading, where we start the book of Leviticus, we see a fairly exact and intricate set of rules for a sacrifice made to God.   

Consider what one had to do.  Even just to have an animal worthy of the sacrifice, the animal had to be perfect, without defect - which meant (1) it had to have been born that way, and there wouldn't have been many of those; and (2) the owner had to have cared for the animal in such a way as to preserve its perfection.   Then there was the slaughter, the splashing of the blood, the skinning, the cutting into pieces, the washing of the internal organs (for which water had to be drawn and carried - no plumbing back then)…after which the animal was burnt on the altar.  

All in all, an exact and intricate set of rules, in order to have fellowship - a meal with God via "a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the Lord" that wafted away from man into the heavens.

This is in such stark contrast to the fellowship man enjoys with Jesus.  In today's reading, we read that even a person society shunned, such as a leper, had access to God.  And never was there no room to speak with Him, as can be seen when friends break through a roof to lower down their paralytic friend.  Indeed, no longer does man sit beneath God, sending his fellowship up to where he cannot reach; instead, God has come down to earth, and man is able to converse with Him, to beg Him directly for healing and forgiveness.  

Which leads me to question myself.  If I had the chance to sit each day, one on one, with - say, Warren Buffett, to talk about investments, or Tchaikovsky or Stevie Wonder to talk about music, or James Madison to talk about the birthing pains of democracy - I would do so.  Every day.  Without fail.  Why then, when the opportunity is infinitely greater, and the Person involved is Infinite Personified, do I not consistently make the time?

Father, forgive me my willfully ignorant stubbornness.  Open my mind to the meaning of Jesus's name: Immanuel, God With Us.  Help me to realize You are near to me, willing and wanting to make me clean.  Give me the heart that knows this, and a life that responds by seeking to be with You constantly.