Jesus Christ is our High Priest Forever

 “And Aaron was an hundred and twenty and three years old when he died in mount Hor.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭33‬:‭39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Aaron and his descendants were high priests in the old covenant of law.  But after the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70AD, the office of the Levitical high priest finished too.  In the new covenant, Christ is now and forever our royal Priest like Melchizedek, as promised by God in an oath:  “And all this is made even clearer if there was another King-Priest raised up with the rank of Melchizedek. This King-Priest did not arise because of a genealogical right under the law to be a priest, but by the power of an indestructible, resurrection life! For it says in the Psalms, You are like Melchizedek, a King-Priest forever!”  That is why Christ is able also to save us to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for us who believe in Him.  Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will live forever in Him.  Amen!

Resurrection Overcomes

 “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭25‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus told Martha when she acknowledged that Jesus would raise Lazarus from the dead at the resurrection, “Martha, you don’t have to wait until then. I am the Resurrection, and I am Life Eternal. Anyone who clings to me in faith, even though he dies, will live forever.”  Jesus said the words *I Am*, which is the statement of Christ’s Deity - “I Am the Living God, the Resurrection and the Life.”  Resurrection is superior to life, for life can be defeated and ended.  But Resurrection overcomes.  Life is the power to exist, but Resurrection is the power to conquer all, even death itself.  We must learn to live in Christ our Life, but also, Christ our Resurrection to conquer all things.  May I know Him, and the power of His Resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death.  Amen!

Clarion Call to the Church

 “And they came near unto him, and said, We will build sheepfolds here for our cattle, and cities for our little ones: but we ourselves will go ready armed before the children of Israel, until we have brought them unto their place: and our little ones shall dwell in the fenced cities because of the inhabitants of the land.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭32‬:‭16‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When the Reubenites and Gadites saw the good pasture land, they claimed it as their property and wanted to settle there without even crossing the Jordan.  Moses sharply rebuked them, “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?  Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going into the land which the LORD has given them?”  Discouragement brings dispossession.  It is a clarion call to those who enjoy their life in Christ to seek the Lord on behalf of the persecuted Church.  Dare to find in the promises of God’s Word, and claim the best for those being dispossessed.  Let’s not deprive them of the best, when we are enjoying peace and rest, because of unbelief and self-centredness, it’s sin in God’s eyes.  Let’s declare our victorious war on principalities, on powers, on the rulers of the darkness of this world, on spiritual wickedness in high places, because Jesus already defeated them.  This is the power of the Gospel.  Amen!

Jesus our Door

 “This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus told the Pharisees this parable even though they didn’t understand a word of what He meant. So Jesus went over it again, “I speak to you eternal truth: I Am the Gate for the flock.”  They didn’t understand the allegory of the old covenant law as the sheepfold that became the religion of Judaism, like a pen that confined the people.  Christ is the Gate that not only allowed everyone in, but He let them out in the new covenant to enjoy all the riches of the pasture.  The Holy Spirit is the Gatekeeper and the false prophets and Pharisees are the thieves and robbers.  Jesus is the Shepherd, the Gate and the Pasture.  As the Gatekeeper, the Holy Spirit brings us to the Father and His Kingdom.  As the Shepherd, Jesus cares for us and shows us His loving heart.  Let’s believe and receive His loving care.  Amen!

Vengeance belongs to God

 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭31‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This was the last thing Moses was asked to do as God spoke to him: “Avenge the People of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you will go to be with your dead ancestors.”  Vengeance belongs to the LORD, and in the new covenant, Paul says, “Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice.”  When we see injustice happening, let’s believe Jesus when He says, “Don’t you know that God, the True Judge, will grant justice to all His chosen ones who cry out to Him night and day? He will pour out His Spirit upon them. He will not delay to answer you and give you what you ask for. God will give swift justice to those who don’t give up. So be ever praying, ever expecting, in the same way as the widow. Even so, when the Son of Man comes back, will He find this kind of undying faith on earth?”  When we see corruption, injustice,  unrighteousness and evil happening, instead of being overwhelmed, seek the LORD, He will avenge.  Amen!

Jesus is Worthy of all our Worship

 “And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The over forty year old blind man, now healed by Jesus and thrown out by the Jewish leaders, found Jesus and threw himself at His feet and worshiped Jesus and said, “Lord, I believe in You!”  Although this man had never been able to read the Scriptures, he had faith in Jesus.  Traditions and superficial knowledge of the Bible can actually blind our hearts if we do not believe in Jesus above all other religious dogmas.  Many of those who knew the Scriptures refused to believe.  The miracle of blind eyes opening is proof that God had come to us.  As Isaiah prophesied about Jesus, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.”  Thank You Jesus.

Don’t Swear

 “If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭30‬:‭2‬ ‭KJV

Jesus explained this so wonderfully in the Beatitudes, “Again, your ancestors were taught, ‘Never swear an oath that you don’t intend to keep, but keep your vows to the Lord God.’ However, I say to you, don’t bind yourself by taking an oath at all. Don’t swear by heaven, for heaven is where God’s throne is placed. Don’t swear an oath by the earth, because it is the rug under God’s feet, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the Great King. And why would you swear by your own head, because it’s not in your power to turn a single hair white or black? But just let your words ring true. A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ will suffice. Anything beyond this springs from a deceiver.”  We need to take heed of this and also teach our children who face meaningless oaths in the culture of today.  Let’s have the obedience of faith to the Word of God.  Amen!

Rescued by God’s Mercy

 “And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.”

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When the scribes and the Pharisees brought the woman caught in the act of adultery to Jesus to stone her to death, He stopped down and wrote with His finger on the ground.  Then Jesus told them that those without sin must be the ones to throw the stone first.  Then He bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust.  Jesus fulfilled what Jeremiah had written, “O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.”  All the accusers were guilty of having forsaken God, the Fountain of Living Water, and yet were so anxious to stone the woman to death.  Their hypocrisy had blinded them, and they had forsaken the LORD.  The same Hand that wrote the Ten Commandments wrote the names of these hypocrites in the dust.  God’s mercy will never touch hypocrites.  Let’s not live life in double standards ever for we will never understand God’s mercy.  Amen!

Law of Sowing & Reaping

 “These things ye shall do unto the LORD in your set feasts, beside your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meat offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭29‬:‭39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When the LORD told Moses to set the feasts, He asked them to bring free will, meat, drink and peace offerings.  This was other than the tithe.  Even before the law was given to Moses, Abraham had paid tithe. God paid the greatest tithe by giving His Only Begotten Son for mankind and through the shedding of His Blood we became His sons and daughters.  He paid the tithe, therefore all tithe belongs to the LORD Who has also given us His Holy Spirit to guide us in the law of sowing and reaping in the new covenant, as we celebrate Jesus. Let’s do as Paul says, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Amen!

Be Merciful

 “If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

‭‭John‬ ‭7‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus answers, “So if you cut away part of a man on the Sabbath and that doesn’t break the Jewish law, why then would you be indignant with me for making a man completely healed on the Sabbath? Stop judging based on the superficial. First you must embrace the standards of mercy and truth.”  Jesus is saying, “Who are you to judge Me when you don’t practice what you preach?”  Never judge as a hypocrite wearing a mask.  Jesus teaches that the law of mercy (healing the lame man) overrides the laws of Moses (regulations of the Sabbath).  Seeing situations and people with the lens of mercy gives us true discernment.  Let’s not judge outwardly but with true discernment show mercy because mercy always triumphs over judgment.  Amen!

Christ the Firstfruits

 “Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭28‬:‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

At the Festival of Harvest, when you present the first of your new grain to the Lord, you must call an official day for holy assembly, and you may do no ordinary work on that day.  This was the first agricultural produce given as sacrifice to God in the old covenant.  In the new covenant, God Himself has given us the firstfruits, for now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at His coming.  Jesus is the Word become flesh and of His own will He begat us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.  What a fabulous mystery.  God was delighted to give us birth by the truth of His infallible Word so that we would fulfill His chosen destiny for us and become the favorite ones out of all His creation!  Hallelujah!

The Tree of Life

 “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6‬:‭54‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus said, “Eternal life comes to the one who eats my body and drinks my blood, and I will raise him up in the last day.”  To eat His flesh is to take into our life by faith all that Jesus did for us by giving His Body for us.  To drink His Blood is to take by faith all that the Blood of Jesus has purchased for us.  This “eating” and “drinking” is receiving the life, power, virtue of all that Jesus is, to replace all that we were in Adam.  Jesus’s Blood and Body is the Tree of Life, which is offered to everyone who follows Him.  Let’s partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus with honour and reverence in our heart.  Amen!

Faith in Christ is greater than the Law

“The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭27‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The daughters of Zelophehad claimed their father’s property and got it by their persistence and faith.  These ladies realised that their father’s property was rightfully theirs since there were no sons to inherit it as per the law.  They were not passively waiting and dreaming.  They understood instinctively that only the violent take the Kingdom by force.  They refused to accept their inferior position as women.  Under the law, sons are the rightful heirs of the father’s property, but these daughter’s’ faith overruled the law.  In Christ, both men and women are God’s rightful heir of all His fullness.  These daughters were claiming a portion of their father’s property, but our Father in heaven has given us everything He has - all His power, all His fullness, all His authority, all His riches, all His nature, all His wisdom and so much more!  In Christ all God’s promises are ‘Yes’ and ‘Amen’ to us.  Everything God has done for us in Christ is for the praise of the glory of His grace.  Being in Christ is not for self-centred people but for those who bring joy to our Father with our faith in Christ so that the Father is glorified.  Let’s glorify our Father by the Name of Jesus.  Amen!

Grace for All

 “And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”

‭‭John‬ ‭5‬:‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Among the many sick people lying there was a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years.  Under the shelter of religion, there are the sick and lame and blind who can’t be healed unless they do the work of stepping into the pool.  They are helpless and hopeless so near the Sheep Gate.  But Jesus has none of the law’s requirements to put upon us for our healing, only to believe in the One Who is greater than angels.  The man had been sick for thirty eight years, the length of time Israel had wandered in the wilderness.  Grace and truth came through the Lord Jesus Christ.  Grace justifies us freely before God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and Truth sets us free to follow after the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus which has made us free from the law of sin and death.  Hallelujah!

The Book of Life

 “To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭26‬:‭54‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God instructed Moses to record all the tribes of the children of Israel for their inheritance in the promised land.  At the time when he interceded for the rebellious children of Israel when God would have destroyed them, Moses requested Him to remove his name from the book in heaven which God has written.  Jesus also told the disciples when they were elated that in Jesus’s Name sicknesses got healed, demons fled and miracles happened, “But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”  Paul also said that all those who labour with him to win souls, their names are written in the Book of Life.  Daniel said that in the end of days those who are found written in the Book of Life will be rescued and John said in the end of Revelation that those who are not found in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire.  Let’s lead a life of obedience of faith in the leading of the Holy Spirit to fulfill God’s purpose for our life and know that our names are in the Book of Life.  Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.  Whoever believes in Him, though he were dead, yet shall he live.  We have a great inheritance in Christ! Rejoice!

The Living Water

 “Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)”

‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Wearied by His long journey, Jesus sat on the edge of Jacob’s well, and sent His  disciples into the village to buy food, for it was already afternoon. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.”  The well was fed by a spring and is a picture of the ‘spring’ of the Jacob-life flowing through all humanity in every one of us that is fed by Adam’s fall.  But Jesus sat as a ‘lid’ to Jacob’s well, sealing its polluted stream.  In Christ, Jacob’s clever striving has ended.  The Living Well sat on Jacob’s well as Jesus sat there ready to give His Living Water to all who would come and drink.  The “water” that Jesus wanted from the woman at the well, was the refreshing, satisfying pleasure of her devotion.  He says to each one of us, “Nothing satisfies Me, except you.” The sinner drank of the Saviour and the Saviour drank of the sinner and both were satisfied.  Neither ate or drank but both were satisfied.  May we give pleasure to our Lord Jesus by our devotion.  Amen!

Holy War

 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Vex the Midianites, and smite them: for they vex you with their wiles, wherewith they have beguiled you in the matter of Peor, and in the matter of Cozbi, the daughter of a prince of Midian, their sister, which was slain in the day of the plague for Peor's sake.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭25‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After destroying 24000 Israelites, God declared a holy war against the Midianites who seduced His people to sin.  First He dealt with His people for their sin, then He fought His enemies.  The life of every believer in Christ has the aspect of a holy war against sin and the enemies of the Cross.  It is a war between holiness and uncleanness, faith and unbelief, truth and deception, righteousness and unrighteousness, love and lust.  As new creatures in Christ, we abhor sin and rise up against it in holy anger to wage this war with all our strength.  This war is waged with godly weapons, not in the flesh and with the armour of God, with thanksgiving, praise and prayer because the battle was already won on the Cross.  For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  It is a victorious war with a great reward of being an overcomer and more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.  Glory to God!

In Christ

 “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“No one has risen into the heavenly realm except the Son of Man who also exists in heaven.”  Jesus shares a mystery with Nicodemus.  While He was on the earth ministering, Jesus was also in heaven in the spirit realm.  Being in two places at the same time is also the privilege given to every believer.  We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realm and living our earthly life to please Him.  This is what it means to be “in Christ.”  In the realm of the Spirit, heaven and earth is one.  Jesus is telling Nicodemus that only those who are seated in the heavenly realm will understand spiritual truths.  Even when we were dead in sins, God has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved;) and has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.  Hallelujah!

The Star-Sceptre

“I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is one of the most startling prophecies from the mouth of the most unlikely person.  When Balak’s  anger burnt and he was about to drive Balaam away, these oracles came as a warning to all the ungodly nations.  The Spirit of God put His Word in Balaam’s mouth, opening his eyes and giving him knowledge of the Most High.  Balaam saw the coming Deliverer-King as the Star-Sceptre Who would destroy Israel’s enemies of that time, as well as the ungodly nations of the world to establish His righteous Kingdom.  Christ our Morning Star has come and dispels darkness.  He is the great Sceptre Who rules with authority and power to reign in righteousness.  He destroyed the enemy at the Cross so at His Name demons tremble and flee, sickness bows down, storms are stilled.  Let the revelation of the Star-Sceptre come to all who believe, so we will walk in victory in Christ.  Amen!

True Spiritual Life brings Joy

 “And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.”

‭‭John‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Nearby stood six stone water pots meant to be used for the Jewish washing rituals. Each one could hold about twenty gallons or more.  This was an outward purification (baptism) for worshippers coming into a synagogue. Six is the number for man, for man was made on the sixth day.  These six stone jars could represent man’s method of helping others.  It is nothing but water.  But Jesus changes the water of the Word of God into the wine of the Spirit.  True spiritual life can fill our vessel as we bring joy to the world.  The fruit of the Spirit includes joy, and there is no limit to the joy available for the child of God.  God wants the inward purification in our hearts which the Holy Spirit brings when we sincerely ask Him to change us.  Thank You Holy Spirit!

The Lion of Judah Prevails

 “Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, And lift up himself as a young lion: He shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, And drink the blood of the slain.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭23‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

In spite of Balak, the king of Moab, inducing Balaam to curse the Israelites, he just couldn’t.  This was because the Presence of God and the shout of the King was among them.  Instead, Balaam’s oracle was to irrevocably bless Israel which made them invincible against all power of sorcery so all would cry out, “Look what God has done for you!”  Life in Christ is like that, everyone may exclaim the goodness of God over you.  Balaam saw the Israelites as a resting, roaring, revenging, robust lion.  Christ in us is the Lion of Judah, robust and roaring in our praises.  As we rest in Christ, no one can take away our peace which He gave us.  When the enemy comes against us, Christ in us roars to make the counterfeit lion to flee.  Our Heavenly Lion knows to take vengeance so, in Christ, we leave our human oppressors in His hands.  In Christ, we who are the righteous, are as bold as a lion because our God has made us robust to put our enemies to flight.  The Lion of Judah has prevailed.  Hallelujah!

The Holy Spirit Empowers Us

 “And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.”

‭‭John‬ ‭1‬:‭32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then, as he baptized Jesus, he proclaimed these words: “I see the Spirit of God appear like a dove descending from the heavenly realm and landing upon Him—and it remained on Him!  Jesus, the Lamb, took away our sins, and the Holy Spirit, the dove, brings to man the life of God.  Jesus didn’t come to start a movement but to bring the fullness of life to us.  This dove points to the dove that Noah released from the ark.  It found no place to rest in a fallen world.  The last time Noah released the dove it flew and never returned.  It flew throughout history over Abraham and the patriarchs, over the prophets and kings with no place to rest, until at last, there was a Heavenly Man Who carried the life of heaven - upon Him the dove (Holy Spirit) rested and remained.  There was nothing that could offend heaven in the life of our Lord Jesus.  The Holy Spirit is on the earth to empower us to live the supernatural life Jesus promised us in His Word.  Let’s believe that.  Amen!

The Victorious Christ in Us

 “Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭22‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬

Satan and all demons tremble fearfully before God, shuddering in terror and horror such as to make a man’s hair stand on end.  They tremble before us who are in His new covenant and washed by the Blood of the Lamb because we are one with God in Christ.  Balak, the king of Moab was scared because he had heard of all the victories of the Israelites.  So he planned and brought Balaam, a prophet, to curse the Israelites, as he saw the enormous power of God’s people.  It just didn’t work out for Balak.  When the devil looks at us, he sees the risen and victorious Christ in us.  You can believe all you want that there is the One True God, that’s wonderful! But even the demons know this and tremble with fear before Him, yet they’re unchanged—they remain demons.  Let’s not constantly looking at what the devil is up to or be fearful of the devil.  Let’s remain in Christ by constantly looking at the finished work of the Cross and the resurrection power of our victorious Christ.  Hallelujah!

Worthy of Worship Continually

 “And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: and were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭24‬:‭52‬-‭53‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All the disciples could do was worship Him.  Overwhelmed and ecstatic with joy, they made their way back to Jerusalem. Every day they went to the temple, to praise and worship God.  So ends this glorious Gospel.  The One Who walked with His friends on the way to Emmaus wants to walk with us.  May we never walk in sadness or unbelief, for Jesus has risen from the grave and lives victorious as the Living God in resurrection life!  Why would Jesus face the horrendous death of crucifixion if the consequences weren’t terrible for all mankind?  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Let’s rejoice, believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God and the only One Who will bring us to the Father.  Trust in Him alone to save you and you will spend eternity with Him.  Amen!

Complaining is demon inspired

 “And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭21‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The bronze serpent clearly points toward the crucified Saviour.  When many were bitten by the fiery serpents, whoever looked at this bronze serpent was made alive.  The power of poison was broken.  As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.  The Israelites complaining was demon inspired.  It was doubt and constant complaining that poisoned them.  The demon spirit of Edom caused them to speak against God and His servants.  In Christ, both the flesh and the territorial spirits were destroyed on the Cross.  As long as we walk in Christ, we are demon-proof.  A thousand may fall at our right or left but they cannot hurt us.  As we repent, we look to the Cross, the resurrected Lord Jesus drives out all fiery serpents from our territory.  Hallelujah!

“Father, Forgive Them”

 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭23‬:‭34‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Crucifixion was the cruelest form of execution reserved for the worst criminals.  While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.” The soldiers, after they crucified him, gambled over his clothing.  Jesus did not pray for Himself but for them.  As the centurion crushed Him to the ground and tied His arms to the crossbeam, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.”  When the spikes tore through each quivering palm, He prayed again, “Father, forgive them.”  When the soldiers parted His garments and gambled for the seamless robe, again Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them”. Only heaven knows how many times that prayer was spoken.  Even now, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.  Let’s believe that.  Amen!

Christ our Rock

 “Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭20‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

At least three times previously the Israelites couldn’t find water and now in Kadesh after thirty nine years, they again faced water scarcity.  Each time God manifested His creative power but they forgot and would complain.  Here again, the LORD commanded Moses to take the rod and speak to the rock before their eyes.  Water gushed out from the Lord Jesus Christ, their invisible, spiritual Rock.  As a new creation, just by speaking the word of authority, we get the job done.  God spoke and things happened.  Jesus spoke and healing and deliverance happened.  Jesus and you are one, and your speech is His speech!  Let’s honour Jesus and His finished work on the Cross by speaking His Word of power and authority in His Name.  Amen!

Obedience to the Father’s Will

 “saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22‬:‭42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Then Jesus withdrew from them a short distance to be alone. Kneeling down, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup of agony away from Me.  But no matter what, Your will must be Mine.”  Jesus asked the Father to be spared from death in the garden so that He could go all the way to the Cross.  His prayer was answered.  The Blood that dripped in the garden would not redeem.  Jesus had to carry the Cross and fulfil all that was written of Him.  Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard in that He feared; though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.  Thank You Jesus!

Be Cleansed to Be Holy as God Is

 “And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel: and a clean person shall take hyssop, and dip it in the water, and sprinkle it upon the tent, and upon all the vessels, and upon the persons that were there, and upon him that touched a bone, or one slain, or one dead, or a grave:”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬-‭18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The water of cleansing was made of the ashes of a red heifer mixed with running water.  This symbolic water speaks of our purification in Christ.  Water symbolises our salvation as well as the cleansing Word of God.  As the innocent red heifer was sacrificed, so the Lamb of God was sacrificed to cleanse humanity and take away the sin of the world for eternity, simply by faith in believing the finished work at Calvary.  On earth we are cleansed by constantly meditating on the Word of God.  This is He that came by water and Blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and Blood. And it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.  God wants us cleansed, purified and sanctified because He is holy and wants us to be holy so we can have a loving relationship with Him.  Amen!

Call out to Jesus

 “And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭21‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV

Jesus noticed a very poor widow who dropped two small copper coins in the offering box. “Listen to me,” he said. “This poor widow has given a larger offering than any of the wealthy.”  This would have been in the courtyard of the temple, where men and women came to deposit their contribution to the treasury.  Historians say there were thirteen trumpet mouthed boxes used in the courtyard for offerings. Jesus is the same yesterday and forever, the I AM Who was, Who is and Who shall be.  What He spoke to the prophets stands today, when He said, “but I will protect the orphans who remain among you. Your widows, too, can depend on me for help.”  Jesus sees every minute detail of every human being.  In societies where widows are easy prey, He still says, “call on Me and trust Me.”  Jesus is true to His Word then and He is the same today.  Amen!

A Royal Priesthood

 “Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭18‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Both the privileges and responsibilities of the priests were enormous.  Priesthood was the most coveted position for everyone, and kings coveted it too.  The greatest privilege we have today is through our union in Christ with the Holy Spirit.  It is good to realise that all privileges come with corresponding responsibilities.  In Christ, we are ordained as God’s priest by the precious Blood of our Saviour to bring people to God and God to people.  We approach God boldly and as we are the Temple of the Holy Spirit, we carry His Presence everywhere we go.  As with the priests in the old covenant, all our needs are provided by YHWH Yireh our Provider and we do not lack in anything.  Not only us, but our children and our children’s children also. We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; as we shew forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light.  Amen!