Our Heavenly Prize

“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out” (Lev. 6:13).

I am listening to a Ligonier Ministries teaching by Dr. Sinclair Ferguson called, “On This Rock.” In a small portion of his sermon, he mentions Bible Studies and suggests that, upon finishing, the question should be asked, “What will you take home with you?”

Not only should this be queried in a group studying the Bible, but also in times of quiet Scripture reading. “Where is Jesus in this passage of Scripture? Where is the hidden treasure in this inspired Word of God?” If it is not seen, it has been missed. We must ask ourselves, “What is the instruction and how can I apply this wisdom in my life as well as in the life of others? How may I share and glorify God by what I have just read?”

The above passage from Leviticus is where I applied these profound questions in the hopes that I would not miss any hidden treasures! I begin by thanking God:

Thank you, Father, that your Holy Presence is within us, in those whom you chose so long ago. Thank you, that once saved, we are always saved; YOU never leave. Your ever-present and continuous Light will never go out. You remain lit; You remain with us! The desire we have for You and your Word will never go out! What relief and hope we have for it is You who controls and preserves our sacred transformation; once with stony hearts and now hearts of flesh, pliable and ready for your work because You have made them this way. What YOU have started, You will accomplish according to your will, plan, and purpose and for your glory, honor, and praise. Thank you for your mercy, grace, love, and faithfulness. Thank you for Jesus who is all these things and more. Thank you!

Psalm 50:14-15

“Offer to God a sacrifice of Thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

Leviticus 9:24 points to the Messiah:

“The first fire upon the altar came from heaven.”

There is no need for guilt offerings/daily sacrifices; we do not need to go to a priest for cleansing as described in Leviticus; Jesus Christ is our great High Priest and He offered Himself “once for all.”

Hebrews 7:22-28 confirms this Scripture:

“This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for His own sins and then for those of the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.”

Where is the hidden treasure? Jesus is Lord and Savior and it is by His blood, His death and resurrection, that we are saved.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:20-21).

The power at work within us is the Spirit of the risen Christ. Consider the overwhelming power of God as Paul does in his letter found in Ephesians. It is God who carries out His gracious and all-wise plan for the reconciliation of human beings (Reformation Study Bible; Eph. 3:20). We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone! Once dead in our sins and trespasses and now raised to new life by the power of God through His Son once for all!

By prayers of thanksgiving and praise, we call on the name of Jesus. He hears our cries and He answers. He is our answer to life! We thrive and live joyfully, fearfully and wonderfully made, a fine-tuned instrument for His work in this world and all because our Savior lives!! Hallelujah!!

God bless you!