Daily Devotional August 21 As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: and he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field. Leviticus 14:6–7 When a leper was cured of leprosy, two birds were to be used in the cleansing ceremony. One bird was to be killed in an earthen vessel. The remaining bird would be dipped in the blood of the first. Why? One bird would depict the death of our Savior, our Redeemer. But the story doesn’t end there. He ascended to Heaven. He rose again. So a second bird was needed to complete the illustration. After being dipped in the blood of the first bird, the second bird was allowed to fly away free. After Jesus died on the Cross, the book of Hebrews tells us He took His blood into Heaven and sprinkled it in the sanctuary of Heaven (9:12–14). Thus, the analogy is perfect. The Resurrection is the hinge on which the door of our faith swings, for if there was no Resurrection, Paul was right: we are of all men most miserable (1 Corinthians 15:19). The Resurrection is essential because it provides proof for us. “Show us a sign to validate Your claims,” Jesus’ contemporaries demanded. “Destroy this body, and in three days, I’ll rise again,” Jesus answered (see John 2:19). And indeed that continues to be the sign that sets Him apart from all others. Second, the Resurrection tells us He’s present with us. On that first Easter Sunday, Jesus’ followers weren’t rejoicing in theological implications or dispensational ramifications but simply in the fact that their friend - the One who had calmed the storm and fed them, the One who had healed and loved them - was with them once again. And the same is true for every believer. What storm is raging around you today? What leprosy is nibbling at you? What problem is pressing down heavily on your soul? You can cast all those cares upon Jesus, for He’s with you even now. Finally, the Resurrection reminds us that He’s praying for us. Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25). Therefore, if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1). How does He win His case? Revelation 12 tells us the accuser of our souls is overcome by the blood. That’s why, in our text, the leper was sprinkled seven times, for seven is the number of perfection, of completion. The sparrow of our salvation left His nest in Heaven to lodge in a tree called Calvary, to die in place of you and me. But the story doesn’t end there. Because He took His blood into Heaven to cleanse each of us, we can come boldly before God no matter how inadequate, how unworthy, or how leprous we feel (Hebrews 4:16). May you have a blessed day.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 10:46:28 +0000
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