March 14, 2022 - Leviticus 22-23

At the conclusion of church service today, we celebrated the Lord's Table. During this part of the service, we spent a moment reflecting upon our readiness to commemorate our union with the Lord Jesus Christ. In preparation for communion, believers were encouraged to examine themselves before a holy God.

Leviticus 22 instructs the readers that the priests were to be cleansed, in preparation to do service to the Lord. The priest's holiness was essential as they handled holy objects such as incense, bread, and sacrifices. As a spiritual leader, the priest was privileged to have portions of meat and grain from the tabernacle offerings. This was to be given to his immediate family only for their consumption.

Holiness was costly to both the priests and the worshippers. Only the best of the flock and the first of the harvest was acceptable. This reiteration from earlier chapters was perhaps to remind the Israelites that imperfections were not acceptable to the Lord as sacrifices. Faithful worshippers were to comply with the requirements of a Holy God.

The 23rd chapter begins the section of national feasts which the people were to commemorate. From the Sabbath to the Feast of the Tabernacles, the people were to celebrate and bring their gifts before the Lord Who had redeemed them from bondage and gave them the privileges they enjoyed. They were never to forget what God had done for them!

We as believers, are also to be mindful of what God has done for us. The deliverance from sin and the freedom of we have in Christ should instill a desire in every believer to worship God alone. As obedient worshippers, we are called to approach God with a pleasing sacrifice. Romans 12 1:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." May our service of praise be from a renewed and transformed life that is offered to Him in all that we do and say this week!