Clean and Unclean; Holy and Common

Read Ezekiel 44

Read 2 Peter 3

In Ezekiel 44, God is reiterating his plan for the Levitical priesthood. It is a needed reminder for a people who had gone astray and chased after idols and suffered great hardship because of it. In this reminder, it is pointed out that one of the jobs of the priests was to always distinguish for the people the difference between holy and common; between clean and unclean.

In our day and age, much of that may seem strange and confusing. It seems like a lot of unimportant detail. It seems like God is just a God of rules and regulations.

But that is not the case! No, all of that was preparation for the coming of Christ, and has practical application for those of us living in the New Testament (NT) age! Really, Ezekiel 44 is the precursor for 2 Peter 3.

Yes, 2 Peter 3 encourages us to be involved in what is holy, and what is clean, and to avoid the unclean, common filth of this world. This world, Peter points out, is destined for fire! But we people of God look forward to that day rather than fear it, because on that day we will receive the "new heavens and new earth in which righteousness dwells." (v. 13)

But in the mean time, are we who are blood-bought children of God going to spend our time on what is unclean, common, and destined for fire? Or on what is imperishable, clean, and holy? That's the challenging question for us. We all ought to strive to be diligent in our Christian walk, that we might be found "without spot or blemish, and at peace." (v. 14)

To assist us, God continues to send servants to help us with that distinction. In the old testament, this was the job of the priests (as we see in Ezekiel 44) and the prophets. In 2 Peter 3, we see this teaching continues in the NT age. We see that Peter and Paul are united in their teaching (see v. 15), apostles of the truth, encouraging to walk in the way of righteousness and not to go on sinning. Indeed, even today, one of the most important tasks for the Office of the Public Ministry (pastors) is to preach and teach the Word (see 2 Tim. 4:2) that the people might continually be taught to live for the Lord. Indeed, not just pastors, but all Christians have the responsibility to speak this Word to one another regularly (see Col. 3:16).

That being said, every one of us trudges every day through the common and unclean, through sin and guilt. That's why we need to remember our Savior, Jesus, who lived a clean and holy life on our behalf. He was so clean and holy, that even things like touching a dead man didn't make him unclean, but rather made the man holy and alive! (Compare Ez. 44:25 with Luke 7:11-17). And this holy, clean, righteous Jesus went to the cross and became everything unholy, disgusting, filthy, unclean and gross. This happened as he took your sin and my sin upon himself. That stain was cleansed as he spilled his blood on the cross.

This blood, that covers us in our baptism, washes our sins completely away. And now, forgiven and renewed, we hear God's encouragement to walk in his ways. So...how will you do that today?

Pray:

Thee will I love, my life, my Savior,
Who art my best and truest friend.
Thee will I love and praise forever,
For never shall Thy kindness end.
Thee will I love with all my heart-
Thou my Redeemer art!

O keep me watchful, then, and humble;
Permit me nevermore to stray.
Uphold me when my feet would stumble,
And keep me on the narrow way.
Fill all my nature with Thy light,
O Radiance strong and bright!

(LSB 694:2, 4; Public Domain)

Study with me tomorrow,

Pastor Jon

Soli Deo Gloria!