HolyOnes

This Sabbath is a special or unusual Sabbath called K'doshim, meaning "holy ones". The reading for this Sabbath begins in Leviticus 19, where God gave the command: "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy." (v. 2). As we can see, it was always God's intention that His people be like Him, so as to be identified as belonging to Him. God's people were to be set apart from the other people of the world: "I am the LORD your God who has separated (badal - set apart, divide, sever out, to make a distinction or a difference) you from the peoples...And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated/severed you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24-26). The Apostle Paul also wrote about this separation or severance: "...do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo - transfigure, change into another form, adjustment of shape, nature, form) by the renewing (anakainosis - complete change for the better, renewal; to be changed into a new kind of life as opposed to the former corrupt state) of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Rom. 12:2). Paul wrote about a change that goes much more deeply than that of adopting a kind of outwardly "holy" behavior or attitude. The change Paul wrote of is about being changed into a completely new form. In verse 1 of Romans 12, Paul begs us to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service." The term "reasonable service" comes from the Greek root words logos and latreuo. Jesus is called the Logos, or spoken Word of God, in John 1:1-3. The term latreuo relates to being a menial servant, to serve, to perform sacred services. Paul told us in this verse to sacrifice ourselves and our own identity, in order to be a servant to the Spoken Word, Jesus. It is by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26) that our minds are washed, renewed and changed. This is part of our "transformation" from the profane to the holy. We are not here to be like everyone else, but to become the image of God by belonging to Him through His Son. Jesus is: "...the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation...now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight - if indeed you continue in the faith..." (Col. 1:15, 17, 21-23). Here is change or transformation again: "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed (symmorphos - having the same form as another, fashioned like unto) to the image (eikon/eiko - image, figure, likeness/to be like, a copy) of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Rom. 8:29). It is far better to be transformed into the holy identity of the resurrected Christ, conformed to His image, than trying to achieve a holy identity of our own. Man always gets it wrong when they attempt to do that. God did not command us to "act" holy, but to BE holy in the same way, and by the same standard that HE is holy. This is truly what Christ accomplished in our behalf. If we can understand and accept it by faith, then we can become it in truth. New Testament scripture is full of the necessity of our ending, in order for Christ to begin in us, such as: "...you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on (endyo - in the sense of sinking into a garment) the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him...Christ is all and in all." (Col. 3:9-11). The holiness of God incorporates a new identity in us, which is begun through His Son, Jesus, and the work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God from our innermost being (Eph. 3:14-19, 2 Cor. 4:16-18), progressing outwardly. Jesus wanted to teach this to us about our new identity when He said that you just can't put new wine into old wineskins! (Mk. 2:21-22). It turns out that when the LORD spoke the sentence "You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy" to the children of Israel, He was really saying a mouth-full, even a book-full. In a look at another complete transformation in the holiness of God, this Sabbath, because of where it falls on the calendar, is also set apart as the Sabbath before Israel's Independence Day, which is on the date of Iyar/Ziv 5, or May 14th on our calendar. In Hebrew, this independence is noted as Atz'ma'ut accompanied by the Sabbath reading of Micah 4, and Isaiah 60. Israel miraculously became an independent nation again in 1948 after 2,000 years. This is an event that will transform not only Israel, but the world. The end time events prophesied in scripture depend upon Israel and Jerusalem existing and being inhabited. The names of the month in which this restoration of Israel as a nation occurred, Iyar/Ziv, have a special meaning dealing with transformation. Ziv means "radiance, light, glow". This same month became known as Iyar after the Babylonian captivity. Iyar is associated with a Biblical event when the bitter water of the wilderness was made sweet. This transformation happened when Moses was shown (yara - point out, teach, instruct, to shoot) by the LORD a tree (es - timber, wooden post, gallows, carpenter) that when thrown into the bitter water, would make it sweet. (Ex. 15:22-26). The LORD made that place and event a statute and ordinance for Israel. The LORD promised to set a difference between the diseases of Egypt and His people, and to be their Healer (rapa - healing of national defects, of personal distress, of hurts of nations involving restored favor, to sew together, to mend), as His people obeyed His ordinances. Therefore the month of Iyar is associated by the Jewish people as providing an opportunity for healing. We can see a prophetic meaning to the transformation of the bitter water by the throwing in of a tree to be related to the transformative work of the cross on which Jesus was later crucified. It is interesting that out of all of the verses in scripture that deal with Israel as a nation, it is the verses from Micah 4 and Isaiah 60 that are applied to this miraculous anniversary of Israel's independence as a nation. Micah 4 speaks about a transformation that will occur in the latter days, the time in which we are now living. Nations shall be transformed because of the Word and Law that flows from Zion and Jerusalem, and the mountain of the house of the LORD will be exalted. The lame and the outcast will become "a strong nation". Redemption will come to God's people, and the stronghold, dominion and kingdom will be with Zion and Jerusalem. In Isaiah 60, though the earth will be covered in great darkness, Zion shall arise in light. They shall become radiant, and the nations with their abundance shall come to them. Their sons and daughters will be brought back to them, and "Whereas you have been forsaken and hated, so that no one went through you, I will make you an eternal excellence, a joy of many generations." (Isa. 60:15), and "...your people shall all be righteous;" (v. 21). In remembering God in the rebirth of Israel after two thousand years, scriptures were chosen in which the blessing and favor of the LORD upon Israel and Zion would transform not just their own nation, but all of the nations of the world. It is difficult sometimes to picture this great transformation considering the conditions in the world today, but God is the God of miraculous transformations, and we will be holy, because He is holy. He is transforming you and me, and He is transforming all creation through His Son. If you would like to learn more about this transformation, you can pray with me: "Heavenly Father, by Your Son, Jesus, you have brought transformation to my life, and also to Israel and the nations. You have made us holy through Jesus, as we are transformed from our own likeness into His image. You allowed me to be born anew. You showed Moses how to transform the bitter waters, so they would become sweet. You brought Your nation, Israel, back from the dead, and the whole world will be affected by it in these last days. Father, transform Your people from our innermost being to our outer form into the image of Your holiness, Your Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit who quickens my mortal flesh, raising me from death to life. I ask these things in Jesus' name. AMEN."

Holy

The word "Holy" brings to mind different things to different people. Some things or activities that others in the world call holy, might seem strange to us. There was a man who was called a holy man in his country. He faithfully traveled a far distance to a shrine every day. However, instead of walking the miles to the shrine from his village, he would roll on the ground all the way to the shrine. This, in his countrymen's eyes, made him "holy". There was an account written of a man who was considered by all to be a devout Christian. One thing that made others consider him to be holy was that he ate and drank only bread and water. Some think being holy requires a certain outward appearance, and certain religious practices that indicate that the person has separated himself from the world, and dedicated himself to God. Many think that to be holy requires that one doesn't sin, or is sincerely repentant of sin. This would seem to reflect what the Word of God requires for holiness. We have the Word of God to teach us, yet there are still many interpretations of what it means to be holy, or to live a holy life. The fact that we are confused is evidenced by the inevitable questions about holiness that continually arise, such as: "But can I still watch TV? What about cable?" or "Can I play video games and still be holy?". "Can I drink alcohol and be holy?" People are unsure about the subject. There is one thing that is certain: God has called His people to be holy to the same measure that He is holy: "For I am the LORD your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the LORD who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, as I am holy." (Lev. 11:43-45). Also, "I am the LORD your God, who has separated you from the peoples...And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine." (Lev. 20:24, 26). In those last verses from Lev. 20, it seems that the LORD has made the people holy because He has taken them specifically as a possession for Himself. Here is another command from God: "And the LORD spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: "You shall be holy (kadosh/kadash- holy, sacred, pure, clean, free from defilement, saint; sanctify, hallow, dedicate, purified, to set apart, to be consecrated, to make or pronounce clean, used of God), for I the LORD your God am holy." (Lev. 19:1-2). This last command from Lev. 19 is also part of the Torah portion for this Sabbath. The title of this Sabbath's portion is K'doshim, meaning "Holy ones". I think this section from Lev. 19 offers some interesting ideas that the LORD adds to the discussion of holiness. Perhaps they are points that some might never have connected to holiness, but God connects them. The first point made after the command of the LORD from Lev. 19 for His people to be holy is the instruction, "Every one of you shall fear/revere (yawray- revere, stand in awe of, reverence, honor, respect, to cause astonishment and awe, to make afraid, to tremble, venerable, august, in a wonderful manner) his mother and his father, and keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God." (v. 2). Revering parents and keeping Sabbaths seem to be two different instructions, but the LORD has paired them together. The commandment regarding our parents tells us that holiness begins at home, in this intimate family relationship. The LORD regards our parents in a manner that we may not. By using the word fear/revere and its meaning in Hebrew, God regards them as deserving the same reverence as one would give God Himself. Our connection to our parents is a sovereign work of the will of God, and therefore holy, and should be viewed by us as such. This is the beginning of holiness. The LORD makes clear in His Word that it is He who opens and closes the womb. He knows us even before we are formed in the womb. It is no accident or happenstance regarding to whom we are born. In the same verse, the LORD commands that we keep (samar- observe, heed, preserve, beware, watchman, wait, save, guard, retain, treasure up (in memory), protect, celebrate) His Sabbaths. The Sabbaths are not just days of religious observance to some, but the concept of the Sabbath that is so holy, so worthy to be guarded and protected, is that it is a day that proclaims the finish, the conclusion, of all of God's work, past, present and future. It represents and contains the completion of the restoration and reconciliation of all creation back to the One who created it. It is the finished work ordained over each of our individual lives as stated in Jer. 29:11, "For I know the thoughts/plans that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." It is the planned work of the Father, completed by and through His Son, Jesus, for each of us, and for the heavens and the earth, which makes the Sabbath so holy to God, and holy to us. Our own salvation was finished and memorialized in the Sabbath. This is all that is expressed in the Sabbath (Heb. 4:3-4,10-12). Understanding and guarding the holy concept represented by the Sabbath is a place of holiness for us. Our faith exhibited in our God is represented by our understanding of the holiness of the Sabbath, and our faith is something that is very holy and precious to God. The LORD's holiness contained in these two principles makes us holy as well when we receive and understand. As we read on in Lev. 19, the LORD continues His unusual glimpse into His idea of holiness. He discusses our holiness in terms of how we treat others, not only in regards to our brethren, but strangers as well. These instructions include: leaving the corners and gleanings of fields and vineyards for the poor and the stranger. Do not steal nor lie to one another. Do not cheat nor rob your neighbor, nor pay wages late to your workers, thereby doing them harm. Do not mock nor hinder those who have a handicap. Make just judgments, not favoring the wealthy nor disfavoring the poor. Do not be a talebearer (rawkeel- scandal-monger, slanderer, informer, detraction) among your people. Do not hate your brother in your heart. Do not take vengeance nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but "love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." (Lev. 19:9-18). Of the last statement in this week's Sabbath reading portion, "...love your neighbor as yourself", Jesus also taught as being one of the two principles that make up all the law and the prophets. It carries the same weight as "The LORD is one, and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind and strength." (Mt. 22:36-40). Paul also pointed to this statement, "Love thy neighbor as thyself", as summing up all of the commandments of God (Rom. 13:9-10, Gal. 5:14). Paul adds to the thought: "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Rom. 13:11). "Loving your neighbor as yourself", therefore, is not only the fulfillment of all of the (holy) commandments, but is a requirement in preparation for the return of Christ, according to Paul. The Apostle James wrote: "If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well." (James 2:8). Jesus made sure that we understood that "our neighbor" is not limited to those close to us, or to those with whom we share an acquaintance. "Our neighbor", in God's expectation of holiness, also includes those who are sometimes avoided by "religious" people in an effort to keep their "holiness" (Lk. 10:25-37). Holiness isn't found only in a list of things to do, or acts to perform. It isn't measured, for example, by how far we can roll on the ground to church. It does not depend upon how we dress, or wear our hair. Holiness, I believe, is found in a Person, God, and discovering our inseparable existence in Him, and in our revering what is in the heart of God towards ourselves and others. If we can understand this, then we are holy, because He is holy. May we be holy for our God is holy, and our Father has called us to be like Him. If you would like to become part of God, and His holiness, you can pray: "Heavenly Father, in Your love, and in Your commandments to be holy, You have provided Your only Son, Jesus, Your Living Word, to call us to Your holiness. I believe that Jesus became sin, so I could be reconciled with You and Your holiness. I believe He died and was raised from the dead, because Your Word says that Your Holy One will not see corruption, and as a result we also are passed from death unto life in Your Son. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, who leads me into the deep things, even the holiness, of God. I thank You that You have separated me unto Yourself as Your holy possession. I receive Your provision of holiness in my body, soul, nd spirit, in Jesus' name, AMEN."