Numbers 5,6; Acts 25, Psalm 22

"The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out" Leviticus 6:13

The Holy fire represented God's eternal presence in the sacrificial system. It showed the people that only by God's gracious favor could their sacrifices be acceptable. The offerings and regulation system were visible before the people and if you participated or offered a burnt, grain, or some other offering people knew what God you served and who you belonged to. God's fire is present in each believer's life today. The fire was lit when the Holy Spirit came to live in us. Jesus sacrifice and offering is the perfect sacrifice and why we have confidence to come to Him for forgiveness and restoration. What I miss about all the sacrifices and temple ceremonies is the physical presence of God's Kingdom. When I visited Israel God's kingdom on earth was made so real. God's invisible Kingdom is still made visible but it's not just in a tent or when someone bakes a cake made without yeast and mixed with oil (Lev 7:12) We manifest his invisible Kingdom and make it visible when God's gory is made in us. (2 Cor 3:18) In our reading in Acts Paul is testifying in front of King Agrippa how Jesus has sent him to open eyes and turn people from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:16) You might not be on your way to offer grain or avoid certain meats today but we have been called to offer up our lives as a living sacrifice so others can see an invisible kingdom visible. So make the cake but make it for someone else and let your light shine, the eternal light that is burning in you.

In Him,
Pastor Joe