Skip to main content

223. A Foreshadowing of Jesus In The Temple

Malachi 3:1-5
Key Verse: "Then, suddenly, the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the Messenger of the Covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the Lord almighty."
Malachi 3:1B

He is who they were told to watch for, but they didn't recognize Him when He arrived. He would appear at the temple to set things right, but the way things were was too comfortable, so His corrections were not welcome. Malachi had given them the sign. "See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before Me." (Malachi 3:1A) The messenger had come in the person of John the Baptist, but they hadn't recognized him either.

Malachi warned them to be on their guard. Malachi was the last prophet to speak and then, there was four hundred years of silence. Malachi had much to say to the people about how corrupt they were. Their sacrifices were pitiful. The priests were negligent and abusive. Malachi warned the people that the Lord would come, but they were not expecting Him to come in the way that He did.

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver." (Mal. 3:3) Gold and silver are refined by heat. As they melt, the impurities sink and can be removed leaving only precious metal behind.

In Malachi's day, the sacrifices and offerings, given to the Lord were impure. They were not offered with a heart toward worship, but rather, a heart toward getting off as cheaply as they could. As we will see, the sacrificial system was no better in Jesus’ time. The refiner would still need to act.

But in acting, His goal was that: "Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings in Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.” (Malachi 3:4) Malachi was remembering the offerings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, David and Elijah: those who were wholly devoted to the Lord. That is what pleases God's heart.

"You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." (Psalm 51:16-17) Obviously, what Jesus would come upon in the temple, He despised very much. This calls us, once again, however, to examine our own offerings. Are they true gifts to God, offered in sincere love, or are they our attempt to get off cheap, giving God as little as possible so that we have more with which to be self-indulgent? Remember, God knows. Might He need to do some cleansing in us as well?

Finally, we need to remember that He Himself has gone before us to set the example. He does not ask us to do anything that He Himself has not already done. His sacrifice will be the purest and while He Himself refines our sacrifice, through His sacrifice, He Himself will be the most refined of all. "Offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your Spiritual act of worship." (Rom.12:1b) Even in this, He goes before us as we shall see.

"Overcame - Jeremy Camp

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It’s Worth Everything

Phil 1:12-30 Listen Link: www.lcepc.org then look for “sermons” tab. Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever lived through very difficult circumstances? Sure, we all have. But what you have experienced, certainly I will say that what I have experienced, is probably very mild compared to what Paul endured. And yet he is the one who said, “Whatever happens, stand firm. It’s worth it.” What encouragement does he give? Is there any evidence that Paul knows what he is talking about? All he says in this letter is, “I am in chains.” But there is so much more to this story! Most likely Paul was writing from prison in Rome, the one we read about in Acts 28. But the whole drama of how he got there starts in Acts 21. Seven chapters in the Book of Acts describe the things that happened after Paul completed his third missionary journey and returned to Jerusalem. I think it’s important to summarize those events here because it will add meaning to what Paul means by stand firm. The dram
Post a Comment
Read more

130. Healing or Exorcism?

Matthew 9:32-34 Key Verse: The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Matthew 9:33B In contrast to the two blind men who came on their own (yesterday’s reading), here is a man who was brought to Jesus by others. This demon behaved very differently than the other demons that we have encountered up to this point. Most of them were combative, or left their victims on the ground while they went screaming off into, who knows where. This one never says a word, but still it must submit to Jesus’ command. Interesting also, that sometimes Jesus tells the people he has healed not to say anything.  But in the case of healing a mute who couldn’t say anything, it is best if he speaks! Besides, the crowds saw it for themselves and were amazed. It was already public. Nobody could’ve kept it under wraps.  Once again, the Pharisees were given an opportunity to praise God, but instead they criticized Jesus and said, “It is by the prince o
Post a Comment
Read more

152. Those Who Found the Price Too High

John 6:60-71 Key Verse: "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63 When we covered the early part of this passage, (John 6:29-59), we discussed how Jesus made following Him an exclusive calling. God chooses us and we choose Him. As a result, God has certain expectations on us as followers, and partakers of His son. All of this has to do with the "Cost of Discipleship." We don't cover this topic as much as, perhaps, we should as Christians. Too many of us believe that all that is required of us is to pray the sinners' prayer and then it's a done deal. However, have you ever thought about the fact that the "sinner's prayer," or the prayer that leads to salvation is not in Scripture? It is a series of phrases that have been strung together by people, to cover the bases so that you can surrender to Jesus and begin your walk with Him.  The true, main
Post a Comment
Read more