Have you ever considered what it was like to be a priest in Old Testament days?
A truthful answer is probably not. But as I read the opening chapters of Leviticus for today’s Bible readings, it’s hard not to miss that it would have been difficult and messy work for the priests at the Tabernacle. Consider, maybe, the 10 seasons of the reality show “Dirty Jobs,” hosted and created by Mike Rowe, who has a way of making some of the nastiest jobs palatable, hilarious, and meaningful.
From the opening verses in Leviticus, the Lord calls out to Moses and clarifies for the community the important nature of dealing with individual and corporate sin. Remember God’s people had just been freed from 400 years of slavery; God had shared the Ten Commandments; and a major part of forming a new community was learning how to be faithful and considerate to one another, to be a people that were called to be set apart.
Just like today, sin has a way of separating us from others, community, and God. Ultimately and thankfully, we don’t have to practice animal sacrifice any longer. Instead, God sent his Son to this earth to tackle and remind us that sin and death are swallowed up, and because of Jesus’ death on the cross, three days later the resurrection from the grave is a reminder of the victory won for you and me.
Questions for reflection:
- So, as you go into your day today, are you mindful of what has or can separate you from a community of faith, family and/or God?
- How important is it to you that all barriers between yourself and God be removed? Why?
- What can you do today to improve relations between you and God?
Lord, thank you for reminding me today of the costs of my sin, which can lead to death and distance from you, our community, and others. Thank you for caring and loving me so much that you provided through your Son, a way to cleanse me and make me whole again so I can live in your likeness and be an instrument of mercy, kindness, grace, and love. Transform me by the renewing of mind and heart. I love you, Lord. Amen.