February 8 - A Higher Standard

 Read today’s texts first: Leviticus 7-9; Acts 15

MAXIMize YOUR DAY

The high calling of spiritual leadership requires a
higher standard of holiness and sacrifice.
If you don’t like it, get over your“self”!

While I haven’t been journaling about my readings in Leviticus, it’s not because I think its content is boring.  Quite the opposite; I am always intrigued and amazed at the meticulous details God required of His priests and the sacrifices they offered on behalf of His people.  When they did things right, God sent His fire down from heaven to consume their sacrifices and the people rejoiced in His mercy (9:23-24).  If they did it wrong, that same fire could consume them.  No wonder only the Levites had the guts to step forward and act as God’s representatives.  There’s definitely a higher standard imposed on “priests” and, in our case, church leaders.

I noticed how the priests were to lay hands on the sacrifices before they were offered to illustrate their identification.  Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that the ultimate sacrifice, Jesus, took our sins on the cross, not His own.  Then the blood was applied to each priest, to their right earlobe, thumb, and big toe.  The right side represents privilege and authority and the applied blood reminds the priests to be consecrated in what they hear, what they touch, and where they go.  These rituals were only required for the priests, not the average Israelite.

The students at our Bible college sometimes wonder why we impose on them a higher standard than even their churches require.  Our purpose is to prepare them for church leadership.  We get a glimpse of the challenges leaders face from our reading in Acts 15 and the deliberations of the Jerusalem Council.  Coincidentally, they were dealing with church standards for the new Gentile converts, deciding not to impose the same circumcision ritual they had all experienced.  The apostles had a wider constituency to deal with, ministering to both Jews and Gentiles.  They often had to go far beyond others in their personal disciplines to make sure there were no impediments to the gospel.

“Lord, it’s that high calling and higher standard that allows for the presence of Your Holy Spirit to accompany spiritual leadership.  The conclusion of the Jerusalem Council says, it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us.  Though I’ve failed at times, I want to live up to the standards you’ve called me to if it means Your presence and wisdom will flow through me.”