April 17

Leviticus 21 A few days ago, a bomb went off during the Boston Marathon. Since then, the TV airways have been flooded with images of what happened and is happening. Today at lunch I watched a special news report as I ate. They interviewed one of the investigators who has a master’s degree in video imaging. He talked about how within the last 5 years, how the everyday technology of video cameras, phone cameras etc. has increased dramatically in quality. Part of the process of trying to identify the bomber is a plea to any and everyone who has video of the event to turn it over to the investigators. They are literally combing thousands of video images to identify the bomber, stop him from any further travesty and bring him to justice. In the meantime, we are constantly bombarded with images on TV, making it impossible to forget about this tragic incident. Why was it so important that the priests had to differentiate themselves from everyone else in death, marriage and physical health? In the ceremonial law, to touch a dead thing or dead person caused ceremonial uncleanness. The priest’s job presented an image of God’s holiness. Physical death is part of the curse of sin. The wages or result of sin is death, separation. God is life, perfect union. The Father has granted for Jesus to have life in Himself. He is the giver of life. Jesus as our High Priest is the representative of life. He is the mediator between God and man who brings life. Since the priests of Israel were images of Jesus, they needed to be ones who were connected with life, except in the taking of the life of the sacrificial animal. The sacrifice of Jesus’ death was not arbitrary. It was deliberate and purposeful providing the substitute which we all needed. His resurrection secured the victory over death which we all needed. We receive that provision and victory when we are united with Him in His death and resurrection. So why did the priest have to keep himself from death? He was the image of the great High Priest who would defeat sin and death. His separation from death communicates to all the God is the author of life. His goal is to bring us life and not death. Why was it so important that the priests had to differentiate themselves from everyone else in marriage? God continually speaks to us in Scripture by the image of marriage. His people are His bride. The image is that the love relationship that exists spawns new life. Marriage is not just a proper form designed for releasing a hormonal urge for reproduction. It is a committed relationship which produces life which finds its beloved to be most thrilling and results in more life. Jesus wants His bride to be exhilarated with His love to the point that we reflect the love of the Trinity for each other. In the midst of that exhilaration, He produces new life. The priests of Israel were to be a symbol of that relationship. The Bride of Jesus is to be pure and spotless, not a whore, not divorced, not adulterous, not homosexual. The priest’s marriage was to reflect that purity. Why was it so important that the priests had to differentiate themselves from everyone else in physical health? The sacrifice was to be perfect. An imperfect sacrifice would not be sufficient in paying the debt of sin. Jesus, the perfect lamb of God, is sufficient to pay the penalty of our sin. The priest who presented the sacrifice had to be perfect as Jesus is perfect. He was an image, a symbol of the perfection of Jesus. The power of an image is incredible. That is why we are instructed to make no image to bow down and worship it. God knows this. He created us this way. Immediately following the special news report at lunch was a Drs. reality show. It was ironic that part of the theme of the show was the selling of a calendar which featured the 12 most beautiful male doctors of the USA. Sale proceeds of the calendar would all go to the American Red Cross. We went from images of destruction to images of beauty and healing. Images are so moving, so convincing, so powerful. In the instruction of the priests’ response to death, marriage and physical health we see a reflection of the Glory of our Lord Jesus. He is the life giver whom death cannot hold. He is the perfect lover who seeks and will obtain a perfect bride. There is no lack of commitment with Him. He is the perfect healer, bringing us all new life. As I experience death, imperfect relationships and declining health, I know that He will overcome it all someday. He has made it known even in the reflection of the priests. He is the perfect priest! Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today! --Pastor john