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| The Laver and the Water |
Every other piece of
furniture in the Tabernacle had exact measurements, except the Laver. There were no instructions how to carry it,
no dimensions, only as to where it sat and it’s usage.
The
Laver contained clean water for washing of the hands and feet of the
Priests.
The
Laver is a representation of the Word of God as it cleanses us by the washing
of the Word.
Ephesians 5:26 That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the
washing of water by the word.
In the days of Noah, God sent
judgment by water destroying all but Noah and his family.
1 Peter
3:20-22 The
patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of
the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the
water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves
you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good
conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven,
after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him.
The like figure of Baptism is
a symbol of a changed life, representing death to sin, and raised to newness of
Life in Christ Jesus. It is a ritual of
cleansing and a type of the Laver and a deeper relationship with God.
Matthew chapter three: John the Baptist came preaching repentance and
prophesied about a coming Messiah. John
recognized that Jesus was the Laver, and when Jesus came requesting to be
baptized by him, John refused, saying I need to be baptized of you. Matt 3:15-17 But Jesus answered
and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for
thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”
When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the
water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a
voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased.”
Here Jesus was confirmed as
the Son of God. Culture shunned him
claiming he was illegitimate. Jesus had been looked down upon, but here a
Voice from Heaven validated and authenticated Jesus as God’s son.
The Religious leaders did not
like John saying another is coming to wash away your sins. Their rejection of him did not stop
John’s voice in the wilderness - -
John said: Matt 3:12 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who
is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John
the apostle (not John the Baptist) Declared Jesus to be called the Word - -
John 1:1-2 In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were
made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
John
continued to point out that Jesus was with God the Father and the Holy Spirit
when the world was created.
A
Virgin conceived Jesus by the miracle of the Holy Spirit - - John
1:11 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
After
Adam and Eve’s sin it was necessary for the blood sacrifice to atone for
sin. John the Baptist said of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world.”
As
Jesus began his ministry, his first miracle was to turn water into wine at a
wedding feast. Nichodemus came to Jesus seeking
truth. Jesus told him, that except a man
be born of the water and the spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God
Titus
chapter 3 demands that we be subject to rulers and be ready to do good
works. Take a firm stand, putting your
foot down against evil. Avoid
foolishness and stay away from secret sins.
Titus
3:5 Takes us back to the place where we should be in Christ. Washed continually.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according
to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of
the Holy Spirit, - -
We
as believers are evidence of what God has done.
1 comment:
Thank you!!
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