After God’s holy law was given the question was, How could man worship? Could he attach some of his own works to the worship of Jehovah? No indeed! God knew beforehand that man could never get blessing through law-keeping, and so He made provision for His people to worship apart from anything they had done or could do. Their sacrifices were to be such as spoke of the excellence of Christ, and their altar must not display any of their own works. That would never do! They could use earth or stone in building it, but not hewn or cut stone, for if they used their tools it would be spoiled. Let us understand very clearly then, that nothing of man is acceptable to God in worship.
Christ Come Down to Bless
The Israelites were also told that they must not go up by steps to God’s altar, for that would exalt man. He must be in his true place in the dust if he would approach God in worship. Men would like to go up to meet God, but God said, “I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee” (ch. 20:24). What grace! If men tried to go up, their nakedness would be seen, but God in Christ has come down to bless us. Now He has lifted us up “among princes,” but to lift ourselves up would only be pride, which God hates. Let us remember then, that man’s work and man’s way cannot be accepted in worship.
The Hebrew Servant
Exodus 21 is also remarkable. The Israelites were told that when a Hebrew servant had worked his appointed time, he could then go out free, but if his master had given him a wife he could not take her with him. If he said, “I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free,” (ch. 21:5) then he was to be brought to the judges and his ear was to be bored through with an awl and he must serve forever.
What a beautiful picture of Christ, the true Hebrew servant! He came into the world and, as Man, He served His Father during His life of perfect obedience. In His own right and title He could have gone back to heaven alone, without the death of the cross, but love made Him a servant. He allowed Himself to be brought to the “judges” and endured that awful judgment of sin, fully satisfying God’s holy claims. He was “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:88And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:8)). He would not have the glory and joys of heaven alone! Love to His Father, to the Church (His bride) and to each child of God individually, led Him to choose the path of service forever. Just as the Hebrew servant had his ear bored through, so the Lord Jesus said, “Mine ears hast Thou opened” (Psa. 40:66Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. (Psalm 40:6)). Having come down and taken the place of a servant, He has chosen to associate us with Him, and to occupy the place of a servant forever (Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37)).
Wonder of all wonders! Christ, the Son of God, has become a man, and will remain a man forever in order to have the company of His redeemed. He came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:2828Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)) (Mark 10:4545For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)). He served on earth, and He is still serving above as our Great High Priest and Advocate (Hebrews 4:15-1615For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15‑16); 1 John 2:11My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: (1 John 2:1)). Even in that coming day of eternal blessedness we read that “He shall ... come forth and serve them” (Luke 12:3737Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. (Luke 12:37)). Surely our hearts should bow in worship at such love — “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge” (Eph. 3:1919And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19)).
Further Meditation
1. Who is the true Hebrew servant?
2. When do we have the privilege of service to Christ?
3. For more on the Lord as a servant you might read The Servant’s Heart: Bible Talks on Mark.