A Bird Set Free

Saturday, June 20

Leviticus 14:4-5 (NIV)“The priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water.”

Devotion

Today’s verses describe God’s prescription for a priest helping someone with a serious skin condition in the time of Moses. The person had to be separated from the community until they were healed. In the instructions, there was a component of atonement, as well as a component of cleansing and restoration to the community. The second bird was released after being dipped in the blood of the first bird mixed with water.

King David recognized this example as applying to sin as well as physical disease when, in repentance, he prayed, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean” (Psalm 51:7). David also likened the person experiencing God’s salvation to the bird that was set free: “For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence” (Psalm 91:3).

Pastor Franklin reminded us that this is one of several types in Scripture that illustrate how Jesus’ blood and the water of baptism are combined in God’s answer for the serious disease of sin. We are all dead in our sin and separated from fellowship with God. We are caught like a bird in a trap, under a death sentence. But Jesus, who is the eternal High Priest, shed His own blood so that, like the bird that was set free in today’s passage, we can be freed from slavery to sin and its death sentence.

It is also significant that when the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side on the cross, blood and water flowed out (John 19:34). Jesus further commanded that those who repent and trust in Him be baptized in water, in part as a cleansing of the conscience as we are restored to fellowship with Him.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

What love is this, that paid so dearly, that I, the guilty one, may go free? Amazing love, oh what sacrifice! The Son of God, given for me. My debt He paid, and my death he died, that I might live. Thank You for the washing of baptism. Thank You for making the way that I could be restored to relationship with You and not be left separated, now, and especially for eternity. Praise the Name of Jesus! In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

If you are in Christ, declare this portion of Psalm 124 aloud today: “Blessed be YHWH, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of YHWH, who made heaven and earth!” Remember today, that Jesus’ name (Yeshua in Hebrew), means YHWH saves. Jesus is the Name above all names, and there is no other name given under heaven by which we can be saved. (Acts 4:12).

Resources
  • Watch this message, “How To Stay Free”, and walk in the freedom that Jesus purchased for you on the cross.