A Living Sacrifice:
From the time of the wilderness with Moses as the people were learning to live together again, God made a way for the light to always be before them. From morning to evening the light of God was to be tended to keep them in a place of remembrance. The light of God always needed to be before them.
Now that the tent of meeting is gone and the temple is no more, we have become the temple and tent of meeting that God resides in. We are now the home of God. The light of God is now in each of us who choose Him by name and to walk in His ways. The more we walk in His ways, the more the light of God is clearly seen in our lives.
Paul learned about these matters as he was traveling and sharing the message of the gospel with many people. Paul recognized that not everyone understood the importance of shining the light and needed to be exhorted to “grow up and get with the program”. However, Paul did understand that his provision for the vision came from God and not man. Paul was content whether abase or abounding.
Paul did commend the Philippians because they understood the need to continuing sharing the message of this great light that has come from the land of Naphtali and Zebulun in the Galilee, as Isaiah prophesied. In becoming a living menorah and sacrifice for the world to see, will I be content in all things to follow the commands of the Lord? In the quiet of the hours of the heart, we have to wrestle with the questions of what are the affections that are drawing us and lead us to action(spiritual or worldly)? Do we really want to be a living sacrifice for God or just someone who is saved from Hell through Yeshua’s blood?
“You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.” – Exodus 27:20-21
“How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Yeshua, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Yeshua Ha Meshiack.” – Philippians 4:10-19
“This is the law of the temple: the whole territory on the top of the mountain all around shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the temple.” – Ezekiel 43:12
Questions for Reflection:
▪ Will I be like the community of the Philippians who gave or will I be like all the communities who did not?
▪ Have I found the secret of living like Paul did?
▪ Do I believe I am doing the work in my own might or power?
▪ Do you believe the Spirit is at work in your life?
▪ Do you understand how much God loves people to worship Him relationally?
▪ To what altar am I sacrificing?
▪ Do I recognize, as Ezekiel did, what is holy?
▪ Have I done what is required to be consecrated before God?
▪ Is my life a living sacrifice for God holy and acceptable to Him?