God’s announcement of Jesus’ birth to shepherds reminds us that He sees each of us, no matter where we are in life. Shepherds were humble, lowly workers, often forgotten by society. But on that night, the sky opened up with angelic songs, and these shepherds were the first to hear about the Savior’s arrival. God’s choice to share this “good tidings of great joy” with them shows us that His love is for everyone—regardless of our status or position. Sometimes, God speaks to us in unexpected ways and places, just as He did with the shepherds in their fields. His joy and presence can reach us anywhere, even in life’s simplest or hardest moments. Jesus said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). There has always been a price to follow Christ, and for many it has been the ultimate price. Follow The Cloud From the first day the Tabernacle was in service, for thirty-eight years, God's glory was manifest as a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night in the sight of all the people. When the cloud moved, they moved. When it stayed, they stayed. Always follow God wherever He leads. Exodus 40:36-37 - "And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys: But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up." Leviticus Leviticus is a seminal document, in many ways more profound than the United States Declaration of Independence or Constitution. How? First, Leviticus sets in order the priesthood, and by default, organized religion. Secondly, it contains the germ form of a universal code of civil law that now rules not only Israel, but also most of Western civilization. Although Hammurabi's Code (Babylon) predates "Moses' Law," the Judaeo-Christian ethic can be seen far more predominantly in governments everywhere. Leviticus 8:5 - "And Moses said unto the congregation, This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done." Sacrificing A Male Without Blemish God instructed Moses to tell the people to bring sacrificial offerings to the priests so atonement could be made for their sins. Specifically, they had to be male cattle, sheep or goats, without blemish. And they had to be presented voluntarily. All these conditions prefigured Jesus Christ, spotless lamb, who freely offered up His life for our sins. Leviticus 1:3 - "If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD." The Meat Offering The meat offerings were different from the blood sacrifices. "Meat" is a general term the ancients used to refer to all food. The meat offering was a FOOD offering. It had to be unleavened bread (baked, cooked or fried) with oil, and salted. Part was burned on the altar to the Lord, and part became the priests' food. It also symbolized Jesus, the bread of life. Leviticus 2:8 - "And thou shalt bring the meat offering that is made of these things unto the LORD: and when it is presented unto the priest, he shall bring it unto the altar."  |
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