What’s In Your Water: Ashes Of The Red Heifer Part 8 Of 9

2 Corinthians 3:7-11“But if the ministry of death, WRITTEN AND ENGRAVED ON STONES, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the MINISTRY OF CONDEMNATION had glory, THE MINISTRY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS MUCH MORE IN GLORY. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.”

We discussed in part 1 that there are 613 laws in the Old Testament includeing the big Ten.  The only ones of those 613 that were “WRITTEN AND ENGRAVED ON STONES” were the Ten Commandments.  

Then we discussed in part 3 that this law concerning the offering of the red heifer is the ONLY ONE that, for some as yet unknown reason, is NOT recorded in Leviticus, the book of laws.  This was one of the most puzzling things to King Solomon.  We’ll be discovering the “Why” soon.

Now we’re going to learn that it not only applied under the Old Covenant but also under the New and can be of great blessing! No, we’re not going to learn how to offer an actual red heifer. We go into the Old Testament to bring out Jesus!  The New Covenant application helps us to ward off attacks of the enemy.

–

The Devil’s Tactics.

When the devil comes to attack you and I he uses the law.  Sadly, sometimes he gets a little help from the pulpit, unwittingly of course.  He whispers things like, “You’ve done this or you haven’t done that, OR you didn’t do enough of this or enough of that;” endless accusations and condemnation. He uses the law to accuse and condemn knowing full well that, if we accept his lies and feel condemned, guilt comes in; then fear; then stress and, ultimately, physical death.  That’s why, in the opening verse, Paul calls the law “the Ministry of death.”

–

Old And New Testament Cleansing.Water containing the ashes of the heifer under the Old Testament could only clean a person on the outside, meaning they were only physically healed.  Under the New Covenant we have both inside AND outside cleansing.Jesus heals us inside–morally/spiritually–and outside–physically, making us WHOLE AND HEALTHY!–The Greek words, “Spílos and rhytis,” that we discussed in part 7, refer to both physical AND spiritual spots and wrinkles.  If you missed that part, you may follow the link below:

What’s In Your Water: Asher Of The Red Heifer Part 7 Of 9

We are healed of diseases and infirmities both inside and outside that might come from hearing law-centric teaching or from worries and cares when we wash the “dust” of condemnation off our “feet” as we walk through life.

–

Why The Law Was Given.

Remember, the Law was given to show us how sinful we are. It helps us see our need for a Savior and so that we will want to go running to Jesus for help.  For by the Law is the knowledge of sin.  It is also the strength of sin.

Now, God knew that the Old Testament saints were not going to be able to obey the Law.  That’s why He instituted the system of sacrifices in the first place.  They would cover their sins so that God could bless and have fellowship with them.  Then in the fullness of time, Jesus would come and cleanse ALL sin by His perfect blood.

Upper Room Washing Of Feet.

In the upper room Jesus washed the disciple’s feet.  Peter, who always felt he had to open his mouth, asked Jesus to wash not only his feet, but his head and hands as well, but Jesus gently rebuked him.  Why?

Simply this: Hands imply work.  That’s why in the Old Testament they washed their hands AND their feet.  But under the new covenant THE WORK IS FINISHED!  No need to wash our hands because we already HAVE CLEAN HANDS AND A PURE HEART.  His blood took care of all that.

Jesus Corrects Peter.

The Lord replied to Peter in John 13:6-8 “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter replied this back to Jesus: “You shall never wash my feet!”  Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part WITH ME.”  

Notice He did not say that Peter would have no part “IN ME,” implying salvation; He said, “WITH ME,”implying a walk, as in walking WITH Him.  Once you have been CLEANSED by the blood of Jesus, the ONCE-AND-FOR-ALL BATH, you are COMPLETELY CLEAN.  You don’t ever again need to be bathed in the blood of Jesus. You cannot be born again and again and again. There is no such thing as being bathed and re-bathed and re-bathed in the blood.  Once you have been cleansed by the once-for-all bath, YOU ARE COMPLETELY CLEAN. YOU ONLY NEED TO WASH THE DUST OFF YOUR FEET.

–

Wash Your Dusty Feet.

You see, as you walk through life, things begin to attach to you like dust:  Worrisome thoughts, doubts, fears; you see things you shouldn’t see, you hear things you shouldn’t hear.  All these things can begin to cling to you and can make you feel “dirty.”  You become defiled, in a sense, though you are still completely clean before God.

Since you have already been bathed in the blood of Jesus, you only need to wash this “dust” off your feet with the water of the word of God.

Walking In Sync With Christ.

You are always IN Christ, but in order to walk in sync WITH Him, you need to wash the dust of the world off your feet. Otherwise you’ll be either ahead or behind.  That’s why Jesus said, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is COMPLETELY CLEAN;”

How do you wash your feet?  As you read the words of this study, or listen to anointed preaching (anointed being the OPERATIVE word), or read a grace-based book, Jesus is working through these things to cleanse you and sanctify you by the WASHING of WATER by the word.

Don’t have this “religious” idea of sanctification.  The word simply means “To make holy; to set apart.”  To be set apart means we are separated “FROM “something “UNTO” something else.  For example: You are separated “FROM” sickness “UNTO” health; “FROM” confusion “UNTO” peace; “FROM” poverty, the curse in the world, “UNTO” abundance!”  AMEN!

For more on that topic, you may follow the link below:

The Opposite Of Holiness.

This is why God’s people are peculiar. When the world is stressed, we are at peace. When they’re going through a crisis, we are not going through any crisis.  When they are lacking, we have abundance.

–

You may follow the link below to Part 9 where we will end by solving the mystery of this law that so puzzled King Solomon:

What’s In Your Water? Ashes Of The Red Heifer Part 9 Of 9