And thou shalt put water therein, to wash withal; ver. 18.) “Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.” (Ephesians 5:2626That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Ephesians 5:26).) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth,” is his prayer to the Father. (John 17:1717Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17).) “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak “unto you, they are spirit, and they are life,” he says. (John 6:6363It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63).) Not the word apart from the Spirit, nor the Spirit apart from the word. It is the truth that sanctifies; and the Spirit is truth. But it is the truth of Christ; “as the truth is in Jesus.”
The water which filled the laver in the wilderness came first from the smitten rock (Exodus 17); the type of Christ crucified, from whose pierced side flowed forth the water and the blood. For “that rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:44And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4).)
Secondly, it came from the rock which was to have been spoken to, at the end of the wilderness wanderings, in connection with the blooming, blossoming, and fruit-bearing rod. (Numbers 20) Typical, of Christ glorified, and sending down the spirit in: answer to prayer. (Acts 2 and John 7) How significant! and how precious to the soul of the believer are these divine foreshadowings.
THE USE OF THE LAYER.
To wash withal. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: when they go into the tent of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the Lord: so they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute forever to them, even, to him and to his seed throughout their generations, ver. 18-21.) The laver sets forth Christ made of God unto the believer, sanctification practically. (1 Corinthians 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30).)
It is the action of the Lord Jesus in John 13 embodied in type.
The washing at the laver was twofold. First, of the entire person, as at the consecration of the priests, (see Exodus 29:44And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. (Exodus 29:4),) where it should be translated, “bathe them in water.” This washing, or bathing in water, at their consecration was not repeated. To this the Lord refers in John 13:1010Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. (John 13:10), “He that is washed, or bathed, (‘O λελοθμένος) needeth not save to wash his feet, (νίψασθαι), but is clean every whit.” The signification of this bathing is given in Romans 6, Colossians 2, &c. It sets forth the death, burial, and resurrection of the believer with Christ, and faith’s apprehension of it.
Secondly, this washing was partial, the washing of the hands and feet; and it is this which is here especially mentioned, —its constant use.
“The hands and feet” express the whole character of the believer’s action and conduct. In John 13,
the feet only are mentioned, as including the whole course of the believer’s walk.
“They shall wash their hands and their feet thereat.” It was not sufficient to wash elsewhere. It is the practical and conscious cleansing which flows from faith’s apprehension of Christ, and not that which flows from mere moral considerations or precepts, which fits for God’s tent and God’s altar.
“When they go into the tent of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not.” This cleansing by the faith of Jesus is essential to living fellowship with the Father and the Son in the Spirit, and to true fellowship with the saints.
There is no living communion apart from this. Apart from the sanctification which results from association with Jesus, and faith in him, communion—is a lifeless form, and the place of assembly a region of spiritual death. Holiness becomes God’s house forever.
“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” Solemn and weighty words! May our souls enter into their divine import!
“Or when they come near to the altar to minister.” Priestly service to God in living power can only be carried on in connection with that practical separation from evil to God, which results from faith’s apprehension of Jesus, who is made of God unto us sanctification, and abiding communion with him. Holiness becomes God’s service, as well as God’s house. “Be ye clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.” “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord.”
“That they die not.” (Ver. 20.) This is repeated in ver. 21. It may be taken as a warning. “If ye live after the flesh ye shall die.” Spiritual deadness is the inevitable consequence of the foot defiled, and sanctification through personal intercourse with Christ neglected. Or it may be taken as a promise; for the words might be rendered, “and they shall not die;” an assurance twice given, that living communion with God and his saints, and living power of priestly service and worship, is indissolubly associated with that practical holiness which fellowship with Christ secures.
“It shall be a statute forever;” a principle from which God never departs. “Without holiness no man shall see the Lord.”
Grace meets the sinner outside the camp. And the sweet savor of the sacrifice is ever ascending from the brazen altar; while the laver ever stands between the door of the tent and the altar of burnt offering; and the water is ever there.
. Christ once died for our sins—once was raised again for our justification, but he ever lives to make intercession; ever lives the source of life, holiness, and power to all that draw nigh to God by him. His grace is sufficient for us; his strength is made perfect in weakness. Because he lives, we shall live also; and our life will be a life of holiness, if “we live by the faith of him.” Thus full provision is made in Christ, that the blood-bought heirs of glory, and the royal priests of our God might ever worship him in the beauties of holiness, as well as in the confidence of faith and love.
(“Directions for the setting up of the Tabernacle, and its anointing,” in the No. for November.)