Parallels and Signs

This morning I felt led to reflect on some verses from Leviticus 9, which is definitely not in my normal reading cycle. I am always interested to turn to some of the more exotic locations (scripturally) as I am often pleasantly surprised by a hidden gem, and this morning was no exception.  Here are the verses I read - Leviticus 9:22-24 NIV:

[22] "Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down. 

[23] Moses and Aaron then went into the tent of meeting. When they came out, they blessed the people; and the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people. [24] Fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted for joy and fell facedown."

This is the day that Aaron and his sons began their priestly ministry, the very first sacrifices they made for the people in the "new" sacrificial system. As I was reading this, I was thinking that in some ways this paralleled the day of Pentecost.  Jesus, through His passion, Death and resurrection, had perfectly fulfilled the requirements of the Law, made the perfect sacrifice and ended any requirements for further sacrifices.  The people were gathered and waiting, and the coming of God's Glory and the Holy Spirit, in the form of the mighty rushing wind and fire is very similar.  This time the fire came out and settled on the people, and empowered them, rather than burning up the sacrifice.  Instead of falling facedown the people started praising God, filled with joy.  I guess with these parallels, one could suggest that Pentecost is the day the Church began its priestly ministry!  

Here are the verses from Acts 2:1-6 NIV:

[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 

[5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken."

I find it quite interesting looking at the parallels.  One other thing I was researching was the Hebrew word for blessing.  In Lev. 9:23 it says Moses and Aaron blessed the people, and the Hebrew word there is "barak", which literally means to bend the knee. In Acts 2, following Peter's exhortation, in verse 41 we are told that 3000 received salvation that day and were baptized, which is a recognition of Jesus' Lordship, a bending of one's knee and life before Him.

Recently in our church we have been learning how to better "pay attention" when reading scripture.  We have been looking at parallels in scripture, symbology that repeats through all of scripture, signs that point to Jesus, and the way the Lord caused all of this to draw us to Him.  This morning I am reminded of the one major theme, that all of scripture points to Jesus, and this morning that is clearly the case. Jesus chose to be the perfect sacrifice, fulfilling every requirement that we might be restored to the opportunity to step back into the Edenic relationship with God!  God loves us and wants to be with us, and wants us to be with Him!   Jesus has made that way possible through Himself.

I am reminded of something Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Colossae.  He draws this whole theme (its all about Jesus) into a wonderful summary.  Here are the verses Colossians 1:15-23 NIV:

[15] "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. [16] For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. [17] He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. [18] And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. [19] For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, [20] and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." 

[21] "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. [22] But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation--- [23] if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant."

Thank You Lord, that You have made a way for us to be restored, and reconciled to You!  Thank You that Your life has restored that which was lost!  Thank You Lord for the gift of salvation, paid for by You!  Thank You for drawing us back to You!

Amen and Amen!