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Messiah's
Summer of Service! |
| In Leviticus 23 we find the seven Feasts of Israel, which is God’s appointment schedule for His redeemed people. The Scripture clearly regards each one of the Feasts of Israel as a prophetic picture of God’s redemptive work in and through Messiah. Passover pictures the salvation work of redemption in the Lamb of God (John 1:29, 1 Cor. 5:7, etc). Shavuot (Weeks, or Pentecost) pictures our sanctification in the giving of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). The Fall Feasts picture our glorification as Messiah gathers His Harvest: the Feast of Trumpets (traditionally called Rosh Hashana) pictures the gathering of the Body of Messiah in the Rapture (1 Cor. 15:51,52, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18); Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) pictures the gathering of Israel to Messiah Yeshua (Zech.12:10, 13:1; Romans 11:25,26); and the Feast of Tabernacles pictures the gathering of the nations to Messiah (Zech. 14:16-19). Between Springtime & Harvest Since Pentecost speaks of the birth of the Body of Messiah (referred to as the Church), and Trumpets speaks of the ‘Heavenly home-going’ of the Body, one might ask, “what goes on in between?” In Leviticus 23:22 we read “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field when you reap, nor shall you gather any gleaning from your harvest. You shall leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” Following the feast of Pentecost, this Scripture teaches that there comes a summer of service and laboring in the fields that directly leads to the Fall harvesting and gathering festivals. This verse regarding service gives us perspective on our lives as believers who live for our blessed hope: the return of Messiah (Titus 2:13; 1 Thess.1:9,10). Concern for the Lost Our primary vision is concern for the lost of this world. It says “When you reap the harvest of your land…” In an agricultural economy there is an assumed priority of working the fields and harvesting. We have a harvest field to work in as well. Yeshua said in Matthew 13:37-39, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world… and the harvest is the end of the age.” And in Luke 8:11, “…the seed is the word of God.” Through our sharing the Good News with others in the power of the Ruach (Spirit), the Son of Man is sowing the seed of the Word throughout the ‘field of the world.’ And a harvest is coming. Yeshua says that even now the “fields are white unto harvest” (John 4:35)! Since Pentecost, our work is to do what we can only do here in this life: to share Messiah and help bring people to a saving knowledge of Him. Rather than fulfilling our own selfish desires, life in the Lord is found in the labor of harvesting His fruit! “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:35). Equipped For Service The Spirit’s work in us leads to the Spirit’s work through us. Yeshua provides us with the abundant resources of the Spirit, so that we may fully live in Him, and live for Him. God doesn’t put us to work without His resource. And, He doesn’t give us a resource that is not supposed to be used for His purpose. Therefore, let us go by the power of the Holy Spirit, making disciples of all nations, proclaiming the Good News of forgiveness of sins in Yeshua's Name! Unto The Least of These Our personal values include concern for the least of the brethren. Y Love reflects the heart of God Since evangelistic labor is our assumed priority of service, let us be careful that we don’t become pragmatic, mechanical ‘evangelists’. Rather, let us be caring people who reflect the heart of God. Notice that Leviticus 23:22 teaches we are to have concern for the poor (in Hebrew, {aw-nee'}, the afflicted, the oppressed, the humbled); and the stranger, (in Hebrew, {gare} sojourner). This was God’s “welfare” system. Actually, it was a ‘workfare’ system in that those disadvantaged would be given opportunity as well to gather and eat. We need to always remember ‘the least of His brethren.’ We can appear to be ‘super productive’ and yet not communicate the heart of God as seen in concern for the hurting of this world. Though the priority of our time, talent and treasure goes toward winning the lost, we must always remember the poor, and in so doing include them as part of the harvest. Lest we neglect the poor, remember that you were poor in righteousness, and Yeshua remembered and reached out to you (2 Cor 8:9). Y Love results from the heart of God Following on the heels of Pentecost, this remembrance of the poor is a continuation of the Pentecost wheat offering to God (Lev. 23:17). Love for God expressed at Pentecost was to result in love for man expressed during our labors in the field. This readily prepares you to meet with Him at the gathering in the seventh month. Y Love reveals the heart of God Verse 22 concludes, “I am the LORD your God.” Our work is under the authorization of God: God will reward what you do for, and leave for the poor. Why? He rewards actions that faithfully reveal His own heart. Yeshua was “afflicted” for our sins (Isaiah 53:4 uses the same Hebrew word). “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” As we care for the afflicted and strangers, we are caring about those whom the Lord loves: “I was a stranger, and you invited Me in. And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in? The King will say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to the least My brothers, you did it to Me’” (Matt. 25:35). In His humility, Yeshua came that we all might be accepted in Him. Therefore, accept one another in His love, and in so doing demonstrate the grace and love we have received in our Messiah (see Romans 5:5). Labor, Looking for His Return Thus we see the balance of our service in the Lord, as we look to the return of the Lord. Are you serving by His power in the Spirit? Are God’s priorities, especially His priority of harvest, your priorities? Do we care for the least of His brethren? If we are, then we are looking for His coming with joy, and won’t be “ashamed at His coming” (1 John 2:28). If not, even now ask Messiah to forgive you through His atonement, and to enable you by His Spirit to live for Him. Let’s labor ‘in the fields’ preparing for the great and glorious harvest soon to come, and have a great and Yeshua-glorifying summer! One Final Note: Please pray, as we will be in Romania this July sharing Messiah, even to the Jew first! Y |
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