The portion of the Torah for this week is a section that contains many commandments pertaining to justice and holiness. It is impossible to miss the idea that these commandments are flowing from the mouth, from the very character of the God of Israel.
“'Each of you must respect his mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God. “ (19:3)
It’s interesting that the Lord doesn’t add that tag to only the commands pertaining directly to Him.
" 'Do not steal. " 'Do not lie. " 'Do not deceive one another. 'Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD. “ (19:11-12)
" 'Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. “ (19:32)
“'When an alien lives with you in your land, do not mistreat him. The alien living with you must be treated as one of your native-born. Love him as yourself, for you were aliens in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” (19:33)
These are just a few examples among many. Whether the command pertains to idolatry, sexual purity, ethics, respect for others, hospitality or general human dignity, it is nearly always follow by “I am the LORD your God” or “I am Adonai.”
God spells it out to the letter for the Israelites at the covenant made at Sinai- what to do, what not to do and what should happen if you do what you’re not to do. Although some of this may be blurry to us now, considering our place in history and cultural context (and identify as Gentiles), God was clear and direct about what it would look like to live inside His kingdom, to come under his authority and protection in a covenant relationship.
Love God. Love neighbor. If we were to squeeze, crush and grind the Law, Prophets and life and teachings of Jesus we would extract these essential oils. This is the fragrance of the kingdom.
“But thanks be to God, who in the Messiah constantly leads us in a triumphal procession and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of what it means to know him! For to God we are the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and among those being lost; (I Cor. 2:14-15)
How can we carry this aroma if we don’t know what God requires? If we are selecting our own principles of righteousness based on tradition, upbringing, intuition or anything else, how can we be sure we actually smell like Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel? How can we be sure it’s not…something else.
Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law; He came to fulfill it. And fulfill it, He did. He embodied what it means to live inside the kingdom of God, which means living according to the Law of God.Jesus won a victory against Satan himself by declaring that man does not live by bread alone but by every word proceeding out of the mouth of God. The Law given to Israel proceeded directly out of the mouth of God to Moses and the people.
We are to be filled with love (according to how the Lord defines love). We are to do justice (according to how the Lord defines justice). We are to welcome the foreigner- the refugee. We are to remain sexually pure. We are to keep a Sabbath, a day of rest. We don’t steal, or cheat or slander one another. We are to be the aroma of the Messiah, both among those being saved and those being lost, for He is the LORD our God!
We are called to smell like the Messiah. But first we have to know what he smells like. For he and the Father are one, as we too are to be one. The Father spelled it out that day at the mountain. And Jesus lived it out. Let us smell like him, that all would be drawn in to the Kingdom. Sometimes these oils are squeezed out through suffering, through patience, through challenge, but may I, may we continue in the pursuit of knowing Him, and in knowing him knowing His Law, that we might bleed the smell of our Lord.
1 comment:
very thankful to you for sharing your thoughts and sharing the truth in such a way, kait!
Post a Comment