Saturday, August 22, 2009

Question from Randy

You had asked me to explain a little bit more about the symbolic linkage between our lives, and the goats of Leviticus. I’m really not sure that I know how to answer the question, since I’m not really sure that I have any prophetic understanding of my own life either. But I do believe, and in fact Paul also states, that Jesus Christ is our “Passover Lamb”. Now it’s important to note that in the Old Testament, there was only one Passover - when the Israelites were led out of Egypt. They were commanded to remember the Passover every year, however the lamb that they sacrificed in the yearly celebration was merely in remembrance of the actual Passover which occurred only once, when they were set free from their slavery. Now the goats on the other hand, along with a wide variety of other animals (and even grains, herbs, wines, and other produce) were required as a repetitive sacrifice, to atone for individual sins or other requirements of the Old Covenant.

When Jesus was washing Peter’s feet, He told him “A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet, his whole body is already clean.” I take this to mean that while the totality of our sins are already forgiven by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are still called to live our lives in daily repentance for the errors and transgressions which we make on a daily basis. (Today, we would probably say “washing our hands” rather than feet – which was more common then.) I truly believe that our sins are forgiven, once and for all time, by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. However, I still continue to struggle with daily little sins in my life, as we all do. Even Paul struggled with daily temptations and failures, which is why he wrote Romans 7.

So, getting back to the goat analogy, I believe that Jesus is our Passover Lamb – the one and only sacrifice which is required to bring us out of our bondage to sin. However, we still need to live a life of daily repentance, as you have clearly stated in several of your letters, that you already do. This is why I am convinced that your soul is well guarded and waiting for the Day of His Return!

But in the case of us who have been chosen as “goats”, there’s even more waiting for us. Paul wrote to the Philippians in 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.” And he didn’t just say this about other people, but he also said pretty much the same thing about himself. “Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” Colossians 1:24 So the question becomes: “Why?” or better yet: “Why me?” - Why have you and I been chosen to suffer more than others?

If this were simply a matter of being punished for my own sins, it might be easier for me to understand, but it would be wrong. That would mean that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross wasn’t good enough for me. Here Paul is showing us a reason that is completely different – this isn’t about paying for our own sins – this is about paying for the sins of others! Think about it Randy, if everyone who was involved in your trial had actually done the right thing, and if the trial had proceeded truthfully, then you wouldn’t be paying the price that you’re paying now. (Our own sins, the sins which you and I have already confessed, were paid for by Jesus, and we live a life of daily repentance, eg washing of our hands and feet, so that we don’t need to be “re-bathed” in the Passover blood which Jesus poured out on His cross.) Your penalty now isn’t about paying for your own sins – it’s about the sins of others. Which is exactly what Paul is saying in Philippians and Colossians: Paul is saying that there is a completely different reason for our suffering.

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Philippians 3:20-21. Basically, what Paul is saying here (and I could go on to list hundreds of other passages which are very similar) that Jesus has taken control over our lives, and is in the process of transforming us into something altogether different from what we are now – and this has absolutely nothing to do with the things we have done – or the things were are able to do now. This is all made possible “by the exertion of His power”.

“For those God had in mind, he also predestined, to be transformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29. By choosing us to be his “goats”, God is making us more like Jesus! The thing is Randy, we didn’t do anything to become chosen – God chose us! Just like the goats in Leviticus were chosen by lot. I remember you saying in one of your first letters that you felt like you could always sense the presence of the Lord in your life, ever since the time when you were in your Grandmother’s apartment. I believe that God has been watching over you all of these years – because He has chosen you for something even bigger than you can imagine. But why did He choose you to be different from everyone else who believes in Jesus?

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17. I’ve written that verse to you before, because I believe it is one of the most overlooked verses in the Bible. Most people don’t see the word “if” in that verse. (That little “if” makes a huge difference to what that verse is really saying!) The “goats” have been chosen without doing anything to deserve it. The only thing He asks of us is to hold onto Him in faith – to trust Him in the face of challenges and tribulations which most everyone else could not survive through. “Hold fast to what you have, in order that no one may take away your crown” Revelation 3:11 and “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.” Revelation 3:21

You see, the “goats” have been chosen to share in the repetitive sacrifice, unlike the Passover in which Jesus died once and for all who believe; the repetitive sacrifice was still a requirement of the Old Covenant. And as Paul says, there are still perfections which are lacking in the body of Christ, that is the Church, today. And so, the symbology comes from the repetitive sacrifice, which is our opportunity to share in His sufferings: false convictions, being cast out by our own people and paying for the sins of others.

Now to be honest, this is not what I wanted to choose for my life – and I’m sure you feel the same way! But we didn’t get to choose! Of course, we could refuse to believe, and that would take us out of the promise – but it wouldn’t relieve our suffering. We gain nothing if we turn our backs on Him now. The cold hard facts are that you and I (actually you more than I) are suffering whether we want to or not, and the only question which remains is “what do we believe is the reason why?”

I’ve got to straighten out one last point though, before I wrap this up. Just in case you begin to think that I’m worshiping a God who likes to inflict pain and suffering on hapless individuals without any regard for the ruin that it causes in their life. That’s not my belief at all! In fact, I need to show you just a couple of more verses, so that you can understand the difference between the “goats” and some of the other folks who believe in Jesus.

Just “getting into heaven” is not what this is all about – even though that’s what allot of Christians believe. And I suspect that some of them may actually be right – they may actually be allowed to enter into heaven – but in a very different way than you will. “For many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.” There are in fact, very different places and positions waiting for each of us in heaven.

Paul writes “The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:41–42. The meaning of this is that some believers will shine more brightly than others, even though they are all stars in the sky – but not all stars are created equal. Again, Paul says: “In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.” 2 Timothy 2:20-21. The meaning here is that the House of God is a complete house, with all essential elements that you would find in any house – some things however, have more significance than others.

Jesus said several times throughout the Gospels “The first will be last, and the last will be first.” This is a fact which most of the “Comfortable Christians” in the suburbs continue to overlook. Do you remember what Jesus said to James and John when they asked Him if they could be seated next to Him when He returned to establish His Kingdom? He asked them if they could drink from His cup! This is the same cup which He could not refuse, even though He wanted to, in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me.”

Jesus didn’t want to suffer anymore than you or I do, but what made Him different is that He was willing to suffer, even though He didn’t deserve it. He didn’t have any sin in His life. That’s what made Him the perfect Passover Lamb. You and I on the other hand, were chosen by lot as goats. We are imperfect – but still chosen to share in His cup, His false conviction, His rejection by His own people, and in His suffering – “in order that we may also share in His glory”, when He comes, if we hold to our faith.

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