Of Leviticus and Easter
When I began to read Leviticus again in my Bible reading program, I sighed and thought, “Oh great.” Well, a few days ago, I finally made it to chapter 21. Hmmm. Rules for priests. More sighs. I read it grudgingly, thinking, “So boring.” None of it meant a thing, least of all verse 11 that forbids priests from contaminating themselves by going where a dead body (considered unclean*) is present.
But God’s “living and active” Word (Heb 4:12) always proves itself – even in Leviticus 21:11! Later that very day, God began to speak a message to my heart. Not only does it relate to this scripture, but it also relates to Easter.
During the Easter season, we celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection. The sacrificial Lamb of God died on Good Friday. But because His body could never suffer the uncleanness of decay (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:27; 13:35-37), God raised Him from the dead. In that earth-shaking historic moment, when the power of God invaded Christ’s entombed body, He burst through the gates of death into risen glory.
Think of those “graveclothes” that had wrapped Christ’s body only moments before (John 19:40). It mattered not how tightly they had wound around Him, they could not keep him bound. In an instant, Christ shed them as unclean and worthless cast offs.
And this relates to us, too. As Christ triumphed, pitching His graveclothes aside, He wants us to do.
Unlike Christ, we were dead in our sins, foul and unclean, rotting in a spiritual graveyard. Nevertheless, by grace, we are no longer dead but have been given new life – eternal life. Raised with Christ, He means for us to live new lives to God’s glory. (Col 3:1; Rom 6:4). That means we should no longer allow those offensive graveclothes to cling to us. Jude tells us to hate “even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh” (Jude 1:23).
Think about those Levitical priests of old and how they could not go near a dead body. Consider, too, how Christ’s church is regarded as a “royal priesthood,” (1 Pet 2:9) and how He wants us to remain pure and undefiled for His service. It is absolutely unbecoming for us to defile ourselves by “touching” what belongs to spiritual death.
God’s Word commands: “Therefore come out from them and be separate,” says the Lord. “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Cor 6:17-8 & 7:1).
The inference is clear: the “no unclean thing” category includes anything that corrupts us physically or spiritually.
We should cast off the gross, death-reeked “graveclothes” that no longer have a right to claim us. Let’s do away with dead works, dead righteousness, dead religion – loathsome things that serve only a “dead body.” What a different picture Christ’s true body presents! Rather than deadness, we see life, liberty, hope, joy, beauty, truth, love, and fruits of righteousness.
As we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, let’s remember all He did for us. Not only did He die to save our souls and give us eternal hope, but He means to remove the vestiges of death from us so we can walk in resurrection life and freedom at present. Let’s step out of our confining unclean “graveclothes” and put on garments that befit God’s people – garments of splendor (Isaiah 52:1), garments of salvation (Isaiah 61:10), even bridal garments to THRILL our soon-coming Bridegroom’s heart (Rev 19:7-8).
So, let me ask you, "Do you love Jesus? Do you love the Body of Christ? Let's each do our part to make His bride beautiful for Him.
Let our promise be, “Lord Jesus, No more dead body stuff for me! When you died and rose again, you destroyed death and gave me life. So from now on I’m living purely for Your glory! Amen!” (2 Tim 1:10)
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus . . . . who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. . . . Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" (2 Tim 1:9-10; 1 Cor 15:55).
(*Numbers 5:2, 6:6, 6:11, 9:6-7, 9:10-11, 13; Haggai 2:13)
