May the mumbling commence!
All people are called to ministry. But not all people are called to the set-apart ministry. It is essential that we discern between the two. It is also imperative that we honestly seek the call of the Lord through the church body… the body of Christ. It is an awesome task that we have that we dare not shirk. Read from Numbers chapter sixteen to see a potential outcome of overstepping our bounds as set-apart ministers:
But the very next morning the whole community began muttering again against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You two have killed the Lord's people!" As the people gathered to protest to Moses and Aaron, they turned toward the Tabernacle and saw that the cloud had covered it, and the glorious presence of the Lord appeared.
Moses and Aaron came and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and the Lord said to Moses, “Get away from these people so that I can instantly destroy them!" But Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground.
And Moses said to Aaron, "Quick, take an incense burner and place burning coals on it from the altar. Lay incense on it and carry it quickly among the people to make atonement for them. The Lord 's anger is blazing among them – the plague has already begun."
Aaron did as Moses told him and ran out among the people. The plague indeed had already begun, but Aaron burned the incense and made atonement for them. He stood between the living and the dead until the plague was stopped. But 14,700 people died in that plague, in addition to those who had died in the incident involving Korah. Then because the plague had stopped, Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the Tabernacle. (Verses 41-50)
These people had witnessed the rebellion of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. They had watched as the earth opened up and swallowed these men, who were trying to wrestle the priesthood from the sole grasp of Aaron’s family. Who else but God could have done this?
Yet the people still blamed Moses and Aaron. The people of Israel came to protest and aroused the wrath of God. Did Moses and Aaron stand vindicated and vindictive – watching the deaths of these protesters? NO! They came to their aid.
May we be as kind to the people who protest our leadership! May we intercede for those who desire to tear us down. These are signs of being anointed with the Holy Spirit of the living God. These are signs of God’s blessing for set-apart ministry. May we watch for them closely in the Body of Christ – the church.
And may we show forth the fruit of repentance – as John the Baptist calls us to. Read from Luke chapter three:
Here is a sample of John's preaching to the crowds that came for baptism: "You brood of snakes! Who warned you to flee God's coming judgment? Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God. Don't just say, 'We're safe – we're the descendants of Abraham.' That proves nothing. God can change these stones here into children of Abraham. Even now the ax of God's judgment is poised, ready to sever your roots. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire."
The crowd asked, "What should we do?"
John replied, "If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry."
Even corrupt tax collectors came to be baptized and asked, "Teacher, what should we do?"
"Show your honesty," he replied. "Make sure you collect no more taxes than the Roman government requires you to."
"What should we do?" asked some soldiers.
John replied, "Don't extort money, and don't accuse people of things you know they didn't do. And be content with your pay."
Everyone was expecting the Messiah to come soon, and they were eager to know whether John might be the Messiah. John answered their questions by saying, "I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am – so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork. Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire." (Verses 7-17)
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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