Clean Vessels

"Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the LORD."

Isaiah 52:11

The prophet emphatically reminded those tasked with carrying the sanctified vessels of the LORD's house of their privileged role.  Men born to the tribe of Levi had roles as priests and ministers unto a holy God.  They were God's inheritance, and He was theirs.  Their identity was to be found in the righteous God who had chosen, called, and sanctified them.  They served a holy God who spoke to His people:  "Be ye holy, for I am holy."  For this reason the priests and Levites were to be consecrated and set apart for the service of the LORD, ensuring they lived a life free of defilement.

Under the Law, guidelines were given to ceremonially cleanse and sanctify priests and Levites.  They were to offer sacrifice, wash with clean water, and wear the approved clothing.  Much effort was employed to maintain external purity.  But under the New Covenant in Christ's blood, there are none who "bear" the vessels of the LORD in the same way today.  When the curtain was rent in the Temple during Christ's crucifixion, worship under the Law in a Temple made with hands was wound up.  Jesus had once for all become a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  The Bible tells us that Christians are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within the heart of every believer.  Our bodies are the vessels God has seen fit to place His glory within.  The focus of Christ during His ministry on earth was not the keeping of outward tradition - carefully washing the outside of the vessel whilst ignoring defilement within - but the cleansing of the inner man of sin through faith in Jesus.  Spiritual regeneration gives a man a new heart and renewed mind through the washing of the water of the Word.  Once our hearts are cleansed of sin, our lives should reflect that transformation.

One of the consequences of focusing on our need for a purified heart and mind can be a neglect of intentional practice to be pure from sinful practices.  Because Jesus remained pure and holy in a world filled with sin, perhaps we think we can entertain unclean thoughts or bring sinful deeds into our lives without negative consequences.  The fact God has forgiven and cleansed us from sin does not provide license for us to dabble in it.  The practice of "toeing the line" leads to stumbling and falls.  The inner man can be affected by the things we do and dwell upon in our thinking.  Our vessels can be polluted and disqualified for service.  A Levite was a Levite, whether or not he was sanctified to perform his God-given duty and calling.  We too can be genuine Christians by faith and spiritual rebirth, but be unfit for service unto our God because we have not kept our minds and hearts pure.

Only God can cleanse minds and hearts of men, but we are told to take action ourselves in obedience to God.  Hosea 10:12 lays forth our personal responsibilities:  "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you."  God has said when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.  Jesus came to earth as a man to demonstrate God's love for sinners, and Hebrews 10:22 exhorts us to respond:  "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."  Instead of nurturing affections for this world, Colossians 3:2 says to "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."  James 1:27 puts it this way:  "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Christians are in this world, but we are not of this world.  We have been sanctified, set apart for God and His service.  Through God's power we are also commanded to sanctify ourselves, separating ourselves from unholy influences and defilement for the LORD's use.  Let us not be tricked to think Christianity is just an inner work.  Because of our new spiritual birth and heritage given by a Holy God as His adopted children, we are to take seriously this command to bring our inner and outer man into alignment with our Father in heaven.  I have heard it said "the part of your life God cares most about is the part no one else sees," but He also cares about what other people and we see.  He cares about the things we set before our eyes and allow into our lives, minds, and homes.  The God who cleanses the inside of the cup thinks the outside should match.  Being clean on the inside but remaining filthy on the outside is hypocrisy too, right?

Master Or Messiah?

During last night's discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we had an interesting conversation about the contrast between the rich young rulers and blind Bartimaeus in Mark chapter 10.  The only similarities between the two is they were both men, and Jesus made an impression on them.  What that impression was and how they responded to Jesus were completely opposite.

As Jesus walked, a rich man ran up to Jesus and said, "Good Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"  Jesus answered, "Why do you call me good?  There is none good but one, who is God."  This was a veiled claim to deity:  Jesus is either good and God, or He is not good.  Jesus said, "You know the commandments."  He then proceeded to list five commands which the man claimed to have kept.  Despite having riches and keeping commands, the man still recognised his lack.  Mark 10:21-22 reads, "Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." ²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."  Wealth was the god of this young rich man, and he proved unwilling to part with his idol - even with eternal life at stake.

On the way to Jericho, James and John approached Jesus.  Mark 10:35-37 describes the interaction:  "Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask." ³⁶ And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" ³⁷ They said to Him, "Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory."  The disciples pulled no punches with Jesus.  They shamelessly told Jesus to His face they wanted Him to do for them whatever they asked.  Isn't this a common thread of many who come to Jesus?  Jesus, graciously and patiently, offered His ear to these ambitious followers.  The rich man wanted to know what he needed to do to gain, and these disciples wanted Jesus to do whatever they wanted for them.

As they came to Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus heard it was Jesus who passed by.  He cried out loudly, "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  In saying this, Bartimaeus displayed his belief Jesus was the promised Messiah.  When told by others to quiet down, Bartimaeus only screamed louder:  "Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"  Jesus stopped and asked the man to come before him.  Mark 10:50-52 says, "And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."  Bartimaeus begged for mercy, and Jesus asked Bartimaeus:  "What do you want Me to do for you?"  He asked to received his sight.  Jesus acknowledged the man's faith, and suddenly he could see!  We do not read of Bartimaeus even going back for his garment, but followed Jesus on the way.

The rich man called Jesus Master, but Bartimaeus called Jesus Messiah.  The rich man asked "What must I do?" and Bartimaeus begged for mercy.  Only after Jesus asked the blind man did he venture to ask for healing.  The rich man went away sorrowful, but the once blind man who now could see followed Jesus rejoicing.  Our eternal destiny depends on faith in Jesus Christ.  When we cling to the wealth of this world, we embrace sorrow now and forever.  Only when Jesus becomes our way can we be healed and obtain eternal life!

The Power of Parables

"All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, ³⁵ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: "I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 13:34-35

When Jesus spoke in parables it was to reveal, not conceal.  To the unbelieving and careless the words of Jesus were little more than stories, but to those who trusted in Jesus His parables revealed deep spiritual truths unknown from the beginning.  They have continued to remain an unceasing sources of truths both old and new to this day.  The same thing can be said of the Bible.  Unbelievers without spiritual discernment mock and scorn as they pick it apart, but those who rely upon God find sustenance and balm for their souls.

It's amazing how God opens the eyes of believers to discover deep truth in simple things.  As I prepared for teaching scripture yesterday, I used a couple of strange household items to teach about faith:  an eraser (rubber) and a tube of anti-fungal cream.  Now what spiritual truth could possibly be seen in those things?  The LORD helped me with those items to illustrate the object of our faith matters.  All people demonstrate faith based upon their beliefs:  atheists, agnostics, cults, and Christians alike.  Much of the faith exercised in the world is misplaced in all sorts of false guides and supports.  It is not if you have faith but where your faith is placed that matters.

If I placed my faith in a rubber to remove fungus from the skin between my toes, it would be misplaced faith.  I could rub my skin until it bleeds, but it will do nothing to solve my problem.  I could carry that eraser around in my pocket as a talisman or believe with all my heart it can help me, but it remains powerless to supply the cure I desire.  Yet if I believe the anti-fungal cream will alleviate my condition and follow the directions, I place my faith in something designed to deal with my problem.  Putting my faith in the cream leads to action on my part which in time will lead to restoration of clear skin.  The spiritual connection is we can place our faith in things powerless to help us, where faith in Jesus is the only Way to forgiveness, peace, and eternal life.  You can fight against the example if you want, but those with open ears and willing hearts understand the truth I have spoken.  The Holy Spirit will apply this truth to softened hearts individually and personally.

Illustrations have unique power to illuminate, like glass windows allow light into a room.  Whilst object lessons are useful, it is good to recognise their limits.  My point in using this example was to show how it is possible and even foolish to place our faith in things which have no power to help or save us.  The scriptures have been provided to reveal God to man He created in His own image.  The Bible is God-breathed, having been inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is compared to a light which illuminates our steps so we will not veer from the course of God's highway of holiness.  People in the shadows can laugh and mock all they want, but we Christians know where we are going and how we are going to arrive safely to our final destination in heaven.  Have you placed your faith in what is able to forgive, deliver, and save you?  He who has ears to hear, let him hear!

Go Your Own Way

God gives every person the freedom to go their own way.  It's not just a refrain from a catchy Fleetwood Mac song, but a gift of God provided for every person who lives on this planet.  The way we live our lives has a clear correlation with where we are headed for eternity:  heaven or hell. Sorrow, pain, sickness, and death are all products of sin's presence in the world.  Adam's rebellion caused separation from God, and every human being save Jesus Christ who has walked in this world has contributed to the miserable consequences of it.  God is the only one who can set things right again, and this was clearly demonstrated in the life of Jesus Christ.

As Jesus left Jericho, there was a blind man named Bartimaeus who sat by the way, begging.  When he heard it was Jesus who passed by that way, he cried out with a loud voice "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"  The more people "shushed" him the louder he screamed for mercy from the Son of God, the Messiah promised by God to save His people from their sins.  Having heard his cries and knowing his heart, Jesus stopped and commanded blind Bartimaeus to be called.  Mark 10:50 says he cast away his garment, which is very significant.  Even as a busker opens his guitar case to collect donations, his garment was laid across his lap to collect alms he received.  Hearing Christ had called him, Bartimaeus immediately cast aside his covering, money, and comfort in exchange to respond to the call of Christ.

Mark 10:51-52 says, "So Jesus answered and said to him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" The blind man said to Him, "Rabboni, that I may receive my sight." ⁵² Then Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road."  Because Baritimaeus had placed his faith in Christ, Jesus healed the man.  Jesus simply said, "Go your way; your faith has made you well."  I imagine Bartimaeus had fanticised for years over what it would be like to see.  Having received his sight, Bartimaeus was free to do as he pleased and Jesus released him from any obligation.  But do you see where Bartimaues went?  He followed Jesus.  The way Jesus went became Bartimaeus' way.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life, and having received his sight Bartimaeus only cared to follow after His LORD and Saviour.

We don't read Bartimaeus ever went back for his coat or his alms:  in Christ he had discovered all he needed.  Despite his physical blindness, with eyes of faith he recognised Jesus as the Son of David, the promised Messiah.  Once his eyes were opened, he fixed them upon Jesus and followed Him wherever He went.  This is a beautiful picture for all those who have responded to the call of Christ through the Gospel.  We were blind beggars steeped in sin, yet Jesus has opened our eyes to see Him as the Light of the World.  We are free to go our own way.  Which way will you choose?  Many people were healed by Jesus, but not all of them were saved.  Faith in Jesus made Bartimaeus whole.  True faith in Christ results in a life where Christ's way becomes our way.  Christ's way is an exclusive way all who will be saved must choose for themselves:  the way of the cross, humility, dying to self, obedience to God, and serving others.  It is the way which leads to victory, power, and heavenly glory for eternity.  All other ways lead to death and eternal destruction in Hell.

Jesus said to His disciples in John 14:1-7:  "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ⁴ And where I go you know, and the way you know." ⁵ Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?" ⁶ Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ⁷ "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."