Cities Of Refuge: Refined By GraceSample

The Cities of Refuge were different than any other place spoken of in the Bible. Although the Levites were given forty-eight cities in which to settle, the six refuge cities were consecrated for a unique and sacred purpose, one that would have been a constant reminder to everyone around that not only did God value human life, but that the cost of spilling blood was the life of the perpetrator. It was a reminder that sin is destructive and walls us off from fellowship with not only the Lord himself but our friends, family, and community. 

One of the most important duties given to the priests was conducting sacrifices on the altar at the Tabernacle. This was a messy, ugly business. Can you just imagine the rivers of blood? The flies? The smell of unwashed animals and death? The white garments of the priests would have been covered in gore and filth from the slaughter. But what better reminder to the people of Israel and to all of us that sin is an abomination before God. And what better picture of the horrific and painful death our Messiah would endure.

The Word of God says that we are to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2) which involves daily laying down our worldly desires, our lusts, and our pride at the feet of Jesus. This is not an easy task— we all have sins that we hold on to, that we pretend God turns a blind eye to, that we justify or sweep under a carpet of easy grace. But we should be devoted to the bloody, messy business of daily digging into our hearts and laying ourselves bare before the altar, allowing his transforming power to wash clean the filth and to renew our minds (Eph 4:17-32) so that we are prepared to minister to others. 

Like the Levites were chosen from among the rest of the Israelites and given a new identity, one of holiness and service, we too have been born anew for a purpose. 1 Peter 1 reminds us that the Way is not easy. There will be suffering, there will be trials by fire, our faith will be tested over and over again. But this call to holy living as priests of the Most High God is worth the sacrifice. The joys and rewards of being in special communion with the Lord is priceless and worth the sometimes painful process of purification. 

If we desire to be more like Christ, who is our perfect High Priest, then we must remember our responsibility to walk in holiness and to daily lay ourselves down on the altar for his glory, even when it hurts. And let’s also continue to remember that He is our City of Refuge. We have the privilege of running to Him and dropping every burden at his feet. We are welcomed into the safe embrace of his love and freed from the condemnation and weight of all our sin. 

Questions to Consider: 

What trials have you or loved ones gone through lately? What beauty have you found within, or on the other side, of those painful times? In what ways did suffering refine you or build your faith? How have trials in your past prepared you to minister to others? 

Take some time to examine you heart today. What sin have you been holding on to or brushing aside? How is this sin disconnecting you from communion with Yahweh? Ask the Lord to purify your heart and to renew your mind so that you will be better prepared for service as a holy and consecrated priest like Yeshua.