SCRIPTURE: Numbers 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’ ? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” [Mark 11:15-17]
This reading reminds me of the central importance attached to the Tent (later turned into the Temple under Solomon).
Those set apart for the Lord’s work (Levites) were assigned specific tasks in order to keep the honour and purpose of the Tent clear and respected.
This was the symbol of God among the people.
It was the place where God connected with them, and they connected with God, it was a ‘house of prayer’!
Jesus shows Himself to be a true servant of God and of God’s house.
On at least two occasions He challenged the disrespect and commercialization of the Temple.
Jesus takes seriously what the priests and temple servants did not. He was consumed with zeal for the house of God [John 2:17]!
Today the ‘house of the Lord’ is not a temple, nor a church or building at all.
It is the human heart. Like Jesus, we need to be consumed with a holy love and respect for people, God’s children.
We need to take a stand against any and all abuse against all people (including those of other nations, faiths).
We are commissioned to handle them with care, to do our utmost to convey them with holy respect to the Lord.
Lack of concern for the salvation of others, lack of respect for the well-being of others, is the same disrespect that the Levites were warned against with the symbolic Tent.
God is in this, God is in them, HANDLE WITH CARE AND RESPECT!
How do I treat my own body?
How do I treat others?
Do I use them for my own pleasure or advantage?
Do I treat them with my words or actions carelessly, callously?
Do I see each and every person I come in contact with as the temple of the Lord, in need of His presence on their throne?
Am I zealous (consumed with zeal) for the Lord’s house in me, and in others?
Am I about my Father’s business?
PRAYER:
Lord, forgive me for slacking in my duties. Forgive me for not loving and respecting Your temple in me, and in others. Help me to take my job very seriously!
The reading for today focused on the Levites – and their assignment from God in carrying out their duties for the Lord. All those selected were from 30 – 50 years old.
The age may signify that these years were the best years of their lives and they were wholly devoted to their tasks. This gave them Life because if they did not follow the instructions they would die. All the Levite clans were numbered and specific tasks were given as the Lord commanded through Moses.
And todayGod lives in my heart. How do I serve Him? Am I also giving the best years of my life in total service to Him. How am I set apart for His service? The Levites were totally set apart. What are my ‘markings’ so that they may see that I am His and He is mine?
As God took care of His ‘church’ in days past, He will continue to do so today. And we have Christ Jesus, our risen Saviour, so that we can continue to move forward boldly in His name in all we do and say this day.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
The Lord is mine and I am His,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
He brought me to His banqueting table,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
He lifted me up into heavenly places,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
He is the vine and we are the branches,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
Jesus is the rock of my salvation,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love,
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love,
There’s one way to peace through the power of the cross,
His banner over me is love.
His banner over me is love!