Day 45: Number 19, 20 and 21

Bring . . . a red heifer without defect or blemish (Numbers 19:2).

The red heifer was different from all the sacrifices detailed in Leviticus. First, most sacrificial animals were males; the red heifer was female. Second, sacrificial animals were normally not burned whole; the red heifer was. And third, the red heifer was not sacrificed; it was slaughtered – outside the camp – nowhere near the bronze altar.

The finished product, for which the ashes of the red heifer were the main ingredient, was cleansing water. This water was formulated by adding cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet wool to the burning heifer and its purpose was to restore ritual cleanness after a person came into contact with a dead body. This was a gift of grace, allowing a family member to minister to the deceased, knowing that their own cleanness could be restored.

Hebrews 9:13,14 explains how, as the ashes of the red heifer cleansed the ceremonially unclean allowing them to continue in relationship with the community, the blood of Christ cleanses us from our uncleanness restoring us to community with God and his children.

135 years ago Robert Lowry put it better than I ever could:

What can wash away my sin?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?

Nothing but the blood of Jesus
O precious is the flow

That makes me white as snow
No other fount I know

Nothing but the blood of Jesus [5]

 

TODAY’S MEDITATION

Sin breaks community. Community has been restored by the cross. Where would you be without it? How can you show your gratitude for it?