"....Make The Lamps Burn Continually"

"Command the children of Israel that they bring to you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to make the lamps burn continually."  (Leviticus 24:2)

Notice, it is man who is commanded to, "make the lamps burn continually," and commanded to see to it that, "the fire never go[es] out."  It's our privilege as well as our responsibility.

 
The old song, "I'll Never Stop Loving You," was sung by many, dedicated to many, but, alas, rings hollow through time.  So very many who sang that and said that to others did "stop loving you."  Jesus Christ makes the same promise, with one difference: He doesn't.

Yes, the word for, "continually," in our text means, "always, perpetual, constantly."  This speaks of the Godhead revealed in Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself is, "continually, always, perpetual, constantly."  You can be assured that right now (stop and look around) it doesn't matter where you are.  Jesus is, "a very present help," yes.  But even more wonderful, Jesus is, "very present." 

Just as, "A fire shall always be burning on the altar; it shall never go out", so too the priests were, "to make the lamps burn continually, always, perpetual, constantly."  The priests could not take a lamp with them into the Holy Place, even though there was no natural light there; hence, they must see to it that, "the lamps burn continually."  But to me, the "symbolism" of the Tabernacle, especially the, "it shall never go out," and, "lamps burn continually," and, "the bread of the Presence," is a constant reminder of our God, "continually, always, constantly," Present, Faithful, Loving, Kind......................"!  Jesus is God upon Whom and in Whom we have, "continual, always, perpetual, constant" fellowship, sustenance, 24/7/365/, "....The Bread of Life--The Light of the World."

John the Baptist said that Jesus would, "baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire."  The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is integral to what Jesus said, "....from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water....This He spoke of the Spirit...."  Feed on Jesus today.  Drink of Jesus today.  "Fan into flame," the Baptism, "in the Holy Spirit and fire."  And perhaps you and I can dig a little "deeper" into our relationship in the Living Triune God in the passage over which so many have "stumbled" through the centuries, something which is not a sinner's prayer.  "....Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.  For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed.  He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him."  

Father, in Jesus' Name, thank You for, "Continually, Always, Constantly, Perpetual," You.  May I be the same.  Amen.
*****************************
See a short video of a German Pastor under threat by German Government Officials at: jhs58.blogspot.cpom

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2