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: And the clean person shall sprinkle upon the unclean on the third day, and on the seventh day: and on the seventh day he shall purify himself, and wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and shall be clean at even. But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the Sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean. (Num. 19:17-20)
Cleansed by running water and purified by the burnt ashes the person (and all his items which might have been made unclean) who had been defiled by that which was unclean could return to the congregation and to the worship of God in the tabernacle. This was not only a picture of cleansing and purification which God requires for His own but also an instruction in cleansing by running water. The red heifer was even more carefully chosen than other animals for sacrifice and all pointed to the work and person of the Messiah which for Israel in this day was still to come. God was reminded His people that only He can save and purify from sin, even while ceremonies and physical washing may cleanse the body. God alone can change and cleanse the soul of sinful man and make them pure again.
Christ is our purification and sanctification. Those who have turned to God in repentance and placed their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, God justifies because of His love and grace. Christ was the perfect sacrifice and He alone saves. All who would be saved must surrender to Him on His terms in order to be made clean and forgiven. Christ alone is our sacrifice and payment for our sin. Through His blood and through the washing of the Word of God through the Spirit, those who are secure in Christ are purified and sanctified as we grow in Him and are conformed to the image of Christ. It is both an instance and a process whereby God makes us whole and grows us into His image as His people until He takes us Home to be with Him.
Until that day God has sent those of us that know Him out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our GOD has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of GOD so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of GOD might have life in His Name.
GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD, forgiveness from GOD, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet