His friend, about to concede that he was a better household manager than his wife, then heard the real story as he sheepishly admitted, "When I was making the chocolate frosting, I forgot to turn off the mixer before taking the beaters out of the bowl, so I had to do all that other stuff." Herein lies the crux of the matter—not only in life in general, but in the quest for a truly spiritual life. Do we live for the Lord because we have to, whether out of duty, guilt, or pride, OR do we serve Him out of love, sincerely desiring every aspect of it to glorify His name?
Over these recent weeks, our church has been looking at the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, following the city's destruction and the Babylonian captivity. Through this, we clearly saw that it was a prophetic picture of the coming of the Holy Spirit in fulness at Pentecost—a powerful wall of protection around God's people. In Nehemiah 7, the focus was on the purity and holiness of the people who came down from the captivity to populate the city and the surrounding areas. Chapters 11 and 12 pick up that theme, having been interrupted by the narrative concerning their worship experiences and the signing of the covenant. But are these things really an "interruption?" Did they begrudgingly enter into those times of instruction and commitment, or did they want to give God the glory for what He had given? And what was the attitude of the leaders and the people as they looked towards getting settled? We are told, "…the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem." (11:1,2) Hmmm—interesting phrase, "willingly offered!"
You see, mostly it was the leadership that was residing in the city, but the "lay" people must also come and be apart of it—being poured out for others is for everyone! They were led of the Lord to cast lots in order to discover who else would come into that holy place. Today, the lot has already been cast—through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are allall—for God is "…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) A people willingly offered! Centuries earlier, when Moses asked the people to bring the supplies that were needed to build the tabernacle, they "willingly offered" them. Years later, when King David wanted to build an altar on the site of Araunah's threshing floor, the latter was more than willing to give everything needed. This willing offering is a major theme throughout all of the Scriptures.
called into that place of purity and holiness—not just out of duty or guilt, but all through faith in a loving God. Not just one out of ten, but
It is important to recognize here that we will not willingly offer anything until we have first willingly offered ourselves. And that only comes when we truly recognize that Jesus willingly offered His own life to take away our sin—not out of guilt or pride, but out of love. Simply receive that love by faith, and you will soon see yourself willingly and joyfully offering everything to Him and His glory. You see, life isn't all about you—get your eyes off of yourself, and onto Jesus and His Church. In Nehemiah 12, we see this as everyone gathers to dedicate the city walls to the glory of God. Notice how it all begins—purity! We are told, "…the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall." (vs. 30) Everything was willing to come into purity before a pure God, from the leadership on down—everything! It is then that Nehemiah tells of two great processions that he gathered at the southwest corner of the city wall. Ezra the priest led the first group eastward and then northward. The second group moved northward and then eastward around the city, with Nehemiah himself following them. Both processions were led by the Levitical singers, giving thanks to God for the wall— followed by the princes, the priests with trumpets, and finally, other Levites with stringed instruments. What an amazing sight that must have been!
As they joyfully marched, they weren't all wrapped up in themselves and their circumstances; no, they were "wrapped around" the walls, which God, in His mercy, had wrapped around them. And if you missed what the attitude of the day was, you will find it right here in verse 43—"Also that day they offered great sacrifices, and rejoiced: for God had made them rejoice with great joy: the wives also and the children rejoiced: so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off." That's right—joy; not that our focus ought to be on emotions or feelings, being totally governed by them. Quite frankly, emotions and feelings can be quite deceptive, and eventually, they will often lead us astray. This joy begins inwardly—not based on circumstances, but rather, on faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. That, I believe, is the great sacrifice—we are nothing in and of ourselves, but Jesus is everything. Get it? Our lives are to be Christ-centered, not self-centered!
As I contemplate how glorious that procession must have been, I remember another parade around another city's walls—those of Jericho. Remember? Only that time, it was not to thank God for the wall, but rather, to bring it down. Just before Joshua ordered a march on that city, he had a divine encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ—"…he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with His sword drawn in His hand; and Joshua went unto Him, and said unto Him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?" (Joshua 5:13) His answer? Neither—He was the captain, and Joshua and the people must be on His side! And if they were going to be on His side, they would willingly offer themselves to do everything God's way. Instead of the usual battle, they were to march around the city a prescribed number of times, until, "…the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city." (6:20) Who took the city? God and His people! Don't think for a moment that they did that all by themselves—God did it through their willing offering to be faithful and obedient!
And I remember yet another joyful procession—some 2,000 years ago, they marched a man and His cross all through the city of Jerusalem. Joyful? How was that a joyous time? Well, it was for those who wanted to get rid of Jesus; for those who didn't want Him ruling over their lives; for those who were veryunwilling to offer themselves to the glory of God. Matthew Henry once wrote, "In all ages, men have preferred their own ease instead of the public good. Even in the Church, many too commonly seek their own, and not the things of Christ. Few have had such attachment to holy things and holy places, as to renounce pleasure for their sake." But, Oh, for that remnant that did—a people who willingly offer themselves to weep and grieve over their own sin and what it cost Jesus. In the immense and boundless love of God, Jesus willingly offered Himself at the Cross of Calvary. Remember—that Jesus died on the cross is history; that He died to take away the bondage of sin over us is "His-Story." He willingly offered Himself to be the living, indwelling Christ that makes it possible for God Himself to live His life within us!
So, in a very real sense, this last procession through the streets of Jerusalem was quite joyous after all, for look at all it provides—the possibility to surrender and to be born-again, forgiveness and remission of sin, holiness, purity, obedience, and last, but not least—the fulness of the power of the Holy Spirit that will lead us every step of the way into a willing offering of ourselves to His glory. Don't live for Jesus because you have to—turn from the frosting-splattered walls of selfishness and pride, and let Him surround you with the walls of His love and protection. As Paul put it, "…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1b) Admit it—after all He has done for you, what is reasonable?
