Becoming Holy 成为圣洁
Dexu Xia
I am the Lord, who makes them holy. Leviticus 22:9
Today’s Scripture Leviticus 22:1-9
Today's Insights
The book of Leviticus is so named in English because it focuses largely on the work and duties of the Israelite priesthood. These priests were from the tribe of Levi. Aaron, a Levite, was Israel’s first high priest. These words were given while the people of Israel camped at the base of Mount Sinai, and the Levitical law formed the structure and foundation for the practices and worship of Judaism for centuries to come.
Today's Devotional
After viewing world-class ceramic sculptures at an art museum, I was invited to create my own “pinch pot” from air-dry clay. I spent two hours shaping a little bowl, engraving patterns, and painting. The result of all my hard work was underwhelming: a tiny, misshapen pot with uneven color. It wasn’t going to end up in a museum anytime soon.
Living up to a high standard can be daunting. The Israelite priests experienced this as they tried to follow God’s commands to be ceremonially clean (Leviticus 22:1-8) plus additional instructions regarding the sacrifices (vv. 10-33). The priests’ work was supposed to be holy—set apart—but despite their best efforts, they often fell short. That’s why God ultimately placed the responsibility for their righteousness on His own shoulders: “I am the Lord, who makes [the priests] holy,” He told Moses repeatedly (22:9, 16, 32).
Jesus is our perfect High Priest and He alone provided the pure, acceptable sacrifice for sin through His death on the cross. He prayed, “I give myself as a holy sacrifice for [my disciples] so they can be made holy by your truth” (John 17:19 nlt). When it feels like our attempts at living right are just amateur pinch pots, we can rest in the perfect work Jesus has already completed and rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to live for Him.
Reflect & Pray
Where’s your lack of holiness most frustrating to you? How has Jesus fulfilled God’s requirement for perfection?
Lord Jesus，I’m so thankful that my righteousness rests in You! Thank You for making me holy.
我是使他们成为圣洁的耶和华。利未记 22:9
今日读经 利未记 22章1-9节
今日心得 利未记在英文中如此命名，是因为此书主要关注以色列祭司的工作和职责。这些祭司来自以色列人中的利未支派。利未人亚伦是以色列的第一位大祭司。利未记中记述的，是以色列人在西奈山脚下扎营时，耶和华对他们说的话，利未记中记载的律法构成了未来世纪犹太教习俗和崇拜的结构和基础。
今日灵修 我在艺术博物馆观看了世界级的陶瓷雕塑后，我被邀请用风干粘土制作自己的“捏制陶罐”。我花了两个小时塑造一个小碗，并在其上雕刻图案并绘画。我所有辛勤工作的结果令人失望：一个小小的、形状不规则颜色不均匀的陶罐。这个小碗显然不会很快出现在任何博物馆里。
达到高标准可能令人望而生畏。以色列祭司在试图遵循上帝的命令，在仪式上保持洁净（利未记 22:1-8）以及关于献祭的其他指示（第 10-33 节）时，就体验到这一点。祭司的工作应该是神圣的，与众不同的，但是，尽管他们尽了最大的努力，却常常做不到完美。这就是为什么上帝最终把他们公义的责任放在自己的肩上：“我是使 [祭司] 成圣的耶和华”，他反复告诉摩西（22:9、16、32）。
耶稣是我们完美的大祭司，只有藉着他在十字架上的死，提供了纯洁的、上帝可接受的牺牲，为我们赎罪。耶稣祈祷说：“我为他们的缘故，自己分别为圣，叫他们也因真理成圣。”（约翰福音 17:19）。当我们觉得，想靠自己活出圣洁的生活只是外行的胡闹时，我们可以安息在耶稣已经完成的完美工作中，并依靠圣灵的力量为他而活。
反思和祈祷
你是哪方面缺乏圣洁而令你极为气馁？耶稣是如何成就上帝对完美（圣洁）的要求？
主耶稣，我非常感谢您，因为我是依靠您而得称为义的。谢谢您使我变得圣洁。