February 15

We find a great irony in Matthew 27. The religious leaders who plotted against Jesus refused to place the money they had paid for Judas' betrayal back into the Temple treasury because it was "blood money." Did they not see that their corrupt hearts did not belong among the spiritual leadership of a nation for the very same reason?

There is an intriguing parallel with the reading from Leviticus 15, as the instruction continues about defilement. We have already explored the symbolism that God is using to help us understand our need to be cleansed by Jesus' atoning sacrifice on the cross. There is another lesson to be learned as well. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, we read that "bad company corrupts good character" (a quotation from the Greek poet Menander). We must not live our lives in isolation, for then, how could we ever fulfill our mandate to be a light to the world (Matthew 5). However, we must be vigilante to ensure that we are the influencer in the relationship, the change agent. Romans 15:21 declares, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!"

Then as we continue into Leviticus 18, I am reminded that even if we are diligent in being mindful of the influence individual relationships can have on our lives, there is a broader influence pressing us as well, that of popular culture. This chapter speaks directly to sexual relations that God views as inappropriate, distinctions that our popular culture denies. We must work to ensure that we do not fall into the same trap as generations before us, championing Biblical truth without compassion, without humility, without genuine concern for people. Upholding Biblical sexual boundaries does not have to be at the expense of graciousness and being gracious does not have the expense of Godly standards. If ever we are at a loss how to hold these two in a healthy tension, we need not look any further than Jesus, complete in His love for people and unyielding in His devotion to principle.

Pastor Fred

(examiner articles)