February 1, 2006 - Exodus 27-28 and Matthew 21:1-22
As we continue to read about the Tabernacle and the priests, it should be obvious to us that God intends to point out that they are set apart for Him. They are different. The word for this is holy. Some people think holy means perfect. It doesn't unless it is applied to God. He is holy, and He is perfect. When it applies to human beings and earthly articles, it means set apart for God's use. In that sense they are different from normal. God wants them to be meaningful and beautiful to show their worth to Him. (28:2) Mostly, He wants them to be special, so people realize how important it is to worship Him and to be right with Him. I believe that is why the priests are to be cleansed, consecrated, and clothed the way God said. They were representing the people to God, and they were representing God to the people. That is why the names of the twelve tribes were on their clothes. (28:9-11, 21) That is why it said "Holiness to the Lord" on their turbans. God was very serious about being holy. He still is serious about holiness. Now, all believers are holy. That is what the word "saint" means. Today, we are His priests, if we are believers. We are to represent God to people, and we are to intercede for others to God. We are set apart for His service in this way. This is the role of every believer, not just preachers. I pray that we will let this sink in as we read these things about the Tabernacle.
In Matthew 21 the believers were proclaiming to all of the people in Jerusalem that Jesus was the Messiah. That is the significance of them shouting Hosanna and quoting Psalms 118. They were pointing people to the Lord. Then, Jesus pointed everyone to the Lord when He cleansed the Temple. He pointed out that the Temple was for prayer or worship, not commerce. He even cursed the fig tree for not having fruit, and He encouraged the disciples to understand the power of prayer. Why was all of this possible? They had come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior. He had a relationship with them. He set them apart for His service. They were to do what they saw Him doing. They were to call people to accept Him as Messiah and to worship Him. They were to be fruitful in God's power through prayer. They were holy to the Lord. They were His representatives in this world. So are we, if we know Him as our personal Lord and Savior. Let's go out today, and show people the difference Jesus makes in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 29-30 and Matthew 21:23-46.
In Matthew 21 the believers were proclaiming to all of the people in Jerusalem that Jesus was the Messiah. That is the significance of them shouting Hosanna and quoting Psalms 118. They were pointing people to the Lord. Then, Jesus pointed everyone to the Lord when He cleansed the Temple. He pointed out that the Temple was for prayer or worship, not commerce. He even cursed the fig tree for not having fruit, and He encouraged the disciples to understand the power of prayer. Why was all of this possible? They had come to know Him as their personal Lord and Savior. He had a relationship with them. He set them apart for His service. They were to do what they saw Him doing. They were to call people to accept Him as Messiah and to worship Him. They were to be fruitful in God's power through prayer. They were holy to the Lord. They were His representatives in this world. So are we, if we know Him as our personal Lord and Savior. Let's go out today, and show people the difference Jesus makes in our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Exodus 29-30 and Matthew 21:23-46.