“When strangers come through the door of the church needing ministry, the Lord doesn’t want them to find a bunch of amateurs.”
TEXT:
Chapter 8, Page 79 –
Look at Leviticus 7:6-7 with me for a moment. The early part of this chapter is about the guilt offering; that is, a sin done thoughtlessly – as described in Leviticus 5:4. But Leviticus 7 addresses the priest’s role in the guilt offering. Notice verses 6 and 7. Do you see who eats the guilt offering? The priest eats it and bears in his own body the sin and guilt of the sinner – just like Jesus. (For a check on this concept, compare with Numbers 18:1).
In Galatians 6:2 when Paul says to bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ, he’s as serious as a heart attack. Bearing one another’s burdens, ministering to one another is the training we need for learning to minister to others. When strangers come through the door of the church needing ministry, the Lord doesn’t want them to find a bunch of amateurs. We practice on each other until we get good at it. We practice our loyalty and faithfulness and forthrightness and compassion and focus in love – on each other.
In medical school we learned that the practice of medicine required “practice.” So we practiced on each other. We learned to draw blood by drawing from each other. I have huge veins in my forearms – exceptionally huge veins. My friend in medical school, Ken, pushed his needle right through my vein and into my elbow joint. I fainted (again). He obviously needed more practice.
Every time you take the bread and wine at Communion, you are committing yourself to this ministry of Jesus Christ – with whatever gifts the Holy Spirit has gifted you – in whatever place where He has assigned you. You are a ministering Priest – to each other and to others who come your way.
Do you know who you are?
You are a ministering Priest.
