Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21
This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter eight - Are You Ready to Serve - covering Leviticus 8:1-8:36, looking specifically at the theme - Seek Purification to Serve. Here, the commentary focuses on the Old Testament sacrificial system of purification, how Jesus as the New Testament High Priest needed no purification, and how God seeks all those who serve Him to be pure. To start, the commentary refers to v8:6 to describe how God directed Moses to purify and wash Aaron and his sons for their work in the priesthood. The commentary then pivots to how in the Second Covenant and New Testament believers have Jesus - the Great High Priest who knew no sin and therefore required no washing or purification (although John the Baptist baptized - see accounts in Matthew, Mark and Luke). We are pointed to Hebrews 4:15 and 7:26-27 where Jesus is described as perfect and sinless. Finally, the commentary states how Jesus was able to serve because He was "always clean morally and spiritually, so He was always ready to serve Him. As this chapter of the commentary focuses on believers serving the church and Jesus, if we are to serve, we are urged to "confess our sin and allow God to forgive us[, as] God requires us to be clean in order to serve Him....God wants clean vessels to carry His living water to thirsty people." On this point, the commentary points us to 2 Timothy 2:20-21.
Comment and discuss this post here.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who lived a perfect sinless life but You nonetheless willingly died on a cross so that I could have forgiveness of sin and eternal life. Thank You Jesus! Yet I am undeserving. I continue to sin, harshness towards others, etc. and need cleansing and purification. Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from it towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
