This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter eighteen - Holiness and Leadership - covering Leviticus 21-22, looking specifically at the introduction and first theme for the chapter - God Calls Spiritual Leaders to a Higher Standard. Here, the commentary pivots from how God seeks holiness from His people (as I have posted about recently), to how He seeks a higher standard of holiness for spiritual leaders. The commentary first points to Leviticus 21:16-23 where God requires the priests to be free of blemish, including physical infirmities such as a crippled hand, skin disease, paralysis, or blindness. The commentary emphasizes that it is not the physical infirmities that precluded an Old Testament priest from serving, but the symbolism of the infirmities. "The tabernacle, everything that happened in the tabernacle, and everybody who served in the tabernacle symbolized the presence of God. God is holy; He is without blemish. To represent the fact of God's perfection, only what was unblemished could be part of the worship of God." The commentary also makes it crystal clear that those with physical infirmities are of no less value to Him (and to us).
The New Testament does away with these requirements for spiritual leaders as Jesus becomes our High Priest and He is perfect and without blemish, representing the presence of God. Nonetheless, the New Testament does still have a higher standard for spiritual leaders (see James 3:1), and the commentary points us to "two New Testament truths concerning spiritual leadership in the church[:]"
- God says all Christians are spiritual leaders in the world; see 1 Peter 2:9 and 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 where believers and the church are called a royal priesthood and how all believers are given a role in the ministry of reconciliation and the Great Commission.
- God gives spiritual leaders to the church; see Ephesians 4:11-12, Acts 20, 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1 and 1 Peter 5 where scripture provides attributes of Godly character required to serve in leadership positions in the church.
Comment and discuss this post here.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided and continues to provide Godly men in churches I have attended and in the church I now attend - huge blessings to me! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such blessings. My sins of worry and harshness towards others continues. Please forgive me Jesus! Help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.
