We had such a wonderful week at Crosswalk Camp last week, and I can’t wait to post pictures and write about what a meaningful, powerful, and FUN time it was. Before I do that, though, I just have to write about another camp that I was reading about yesterday…
“…he shall cover his mustache and cry ‘Unclean, Unclean!’ He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.”
Leviticus 13: 45-46
(Yes, I am reading Leviticus right now. It’s a great book about the holiness of God!)
When I read those verses out of Leviticus yesterday regarding how the priests are to deal with and instruct those who have leprosy, it reminded of another verse I had read and pondered over in Hebrews last year…
“Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered outside the gate. So let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.”
Hebrews 13: 13-14
(Interesting that those verses land in the same chapter of each book.)
Jesus became sin for me. He became the outcast leper. He took on uncleanliness and had to live outside of fellowship for a time with His people, but most importantly His own Father ~ all on my behalf. Josh B. was preaching yesterday on Galations 4:1-7. (Robert gives other men in the church opportunity to preach in the summers.) Josh did a great job, and something he revealed to us prepared my heart to read these Leviticus verses with deeper understanding. He taught us that the ONLY time Jesus does not address God as His Father in prayer is on the cross when…
“Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “ ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?” that is, “MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?”
Matthew 27:46
Josh reminded us that Jesus did that, went through that isolation and separation, so that we could, because of the Spirit of the Son in us cry out…
“Abba, Father!”
Galations 4:6
He said “My God!” so that we could say “Abba, Father!”
The tears of gratitude were streaming at this point in the sermon, and for that I am thankful. It’s just that in the last two years, in the fallout of fatigue and burn out, I haven’t been all that interested in “going to Him outside the camp and bearing His reproach.” I’ve even been memorizing Hebrews chapter 11 (for Beth Moore’s Scripture memory challenge) in an attempt to renew my heart because of the verses about Moses…
“By faith, Moses, when He had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God, than to enjoy the passing pleasure of sin; considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, for He was looking to the reward.” (or the “lasting city”)
Hebrews 11: 24-26
And yes, I just typed that from memory, (I can even do the following 11 verses) but don’t be impressed, because my heart is not completely transformed to that same Moses attitude ~ the one that chooses ill-treatment and considers the opportunity to bear Christ’s reproach great riches. Nope. I think I used to have this attitude and eagerness to participate in the great adventure with Jesus, but then I got tired. Now, I still love the Lord and am so inspired by His Word, but I find myself staying FAR away from the likes of Piper (“Don’t Waste Your Life” and “Christians don’t retire”) and Platt and Chan (sell your possessions, simplify, move to the inner city, or overseas, adopt lots of orphans, and don’t take vacations), because I don’t want to be told to go and meet Jesus outside the camp. (At least this is my overheard take on these guys, since I’ve succeeded in steering clear.) I crave comfort and want to avoid difficulty and unpleasantness. And surely those guys are not even talking to ME! 20 years of crazy ministry! Haven’t I already paid my dues? I must have if I’m this weary.
But then I open my Bible, and listen to sermons and there are the same exhortations ~ go outside the camp, bear His reproach, this life is short, fleeting, and temporary, He suffered and gave me the same Spirit who enabled Him to do it, the same Spirit who raised Him from the dead, my joy and hope are not in Egypt (i.e. comfort), they are in heaven, in Him, I am His child, He loves me, He is with me, He will strengthen me.
Thankfully, even when I avoid the authors that everyone is talking about, the Lord speaks to me through His word. And I know it’s far better to get the truth there first and possibly have it re-stated by men later. And yes, I have been able to “stay in the game” of life and ministry in spite of the onset of weariness, but only by faith, and only as a result of His gift of grace. My prior eagerness in the following-Jesus-adventure was probably more like sheer will and stubbornness than it was like trust. I think the Lord prefers this current state of mine, because He gets more glory. Actually, I think He meticulously arranged for it. It really is all Him, and my prayer is that I would continue to be transformed in my willingness to “go to Him outside the camp”, to know Him in His sacrifice and to be content and grateful whatever the call may be on my life. He suffered so that I COULD know this freedom and privilege.
Love. Love. Love. I'm going to read this again!