Clean Worship

Over the last couple of weeks, I have been listening to the Books of Leviticus and Numbers while I exercise. That’s right, listening. It’s amazing what you can do with today’s technology. With an I-pod and the Bible loaded onto it, I can listen as Max McLean reads through the Bible, while I do some exercise. It’s both a physical and spiritual workout—and, both are quite beneficial.

As I listen through the Books of Leviticus and Numbers, I am once again impressed by the holiness of God and filled with gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. As Hebrews 10 reminds us,

11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:11-14 ESV)

As I listened to the details of what kinds of sacrifices were to be offered for various circumstances and sins, and how each sacrifice was to be offered by the priest, I am grateful that Christ’s sacrifice on the cross took the place of all those sacrifices. God’s holiness requires atonement for sin. Christ provided that … and I am amazed and grateful.

And, then, there’s the testimony of how seriously God takes sin and impurity. I thank God that we do not have to go through the same purification rituals that are described in Leviticus. On the other hand, I have to imagine that these rituals forced the people to take worship and God’s presence very seriously.

I encourage you to spend some time in prayer before the worship service begins. Remember, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) May we remember His holiness and enter into worship, today, as a cleansed people!

In His grip,
Pastor Decker