THE picture before us looks like a lovely glen in which some happy little birds are enjoying a sweet summer day. Some of them are perched on a small bough that bends over the gently flowing stream. One of them has left his perch and looks as if he were about to have a plunge in the nice, cool water. Little birds are fond of having a daily bath, you know; and what better opportunity could be given than we have in the scene before us!
Shall we seek, dear children, to learn a lesson from the bath of the birds? In olden time, the priests, who were to enter upon the service of the Lord, were to be washed; and then the garments of glory and beauty were to be put upon them. Ex. 27:40-41 and 29:4-5, 8-9. But this washing was not enough. They must wash their hands and their feet before going into the tabernacle, or the holy place; to enter without washing would be death to them; and when they went near to the altar to offer their offerings to the Lord, they must wash their hands and their feet that they die not. For this purpose, a laver containing water was placed between the door of the tabernacle and the altar of burnt offerings, and in this laver they washed their hands and their feet.
Does someone ask, What has all this to do with us? Let me tell you. We who are washed from our sins in the blood of Jesus are made kings and priests unto God, and we have, as priests, a service to perform. See Rev. 1:5-65And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5‑6) and 1 Peter 2:5, 95Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9). We have had the bath of regeneration. Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5); and the "holy garments" have been put upon us, for it is in Christ, our righteousness, that we stand before God; and we shall be crowned with "glory and beauty" when with Him, and like Him. But in order to serve Him acceptably, something more is needed than the bath and the robe. The priest under the law must wash his hands and his feet that he die not, before entering the holy place, or when drawing near to the altar to offer his offerings to God. It is with the feet that we walk. and with the hands that we serve; and this type that God gives us in connection with the priest shows us that our walk must be a pure walk, and our service must be a pure service. Washing our hands and feet with water will not fit us for worshipping God, or for serving Him in anyway. Our ways must be clean through the teaching of His word, if we would walk worthy, and serve Him acceptably . It will not do to talk piously and pretend to serve Him, and to be saying, Praise the Lord, when we are doing our own will and going our own way. All this would be displeasing to Him who can accept only what is pure and holy. If then we have been brought to God, may we seek continually to make our ways clean according to His word. Psa. 119:99BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9). If this is done we will be able to worship, and praise, and serve in a way pleasing and acceptable to Him. Heb. 13:15-1615By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15‑16). 1 Peter 2:5, 95Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:5)
9But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1 Peter 2:9). John 12:2626If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. (John 12:26). But let us not forget that nothing can be done without His help.
Messages of God’s Love 7/14/1901