Think Safety

Safe Cities
Numbers 35:1-36:13

"Six of the cities you give the Levites will be cities of safety. A person who accidentally kills someone may run to one of those cities for safety." (Numbers 35:6)

Sanctuary is a familiar idea to many, a place where fugitives were immune to arrest. Here Moses is setting up many cities of 'sanctuary' or 'safety' for this specific purpose. Not that all the criminals were forgiven or pardoned, but they would have the right to a fair trial in court. And they weren't just 'safe cities' for the citizens of Israel, but for "foreigners and other people living with [them]" (35:15).

As a youth, we'd sing,
"Lord prepare me to be a santuary,
Pure and holy, tried and true,
And with thanksgiving, I'll be a living,
Sanctuary for you."

This text makes me rethink these familiar lyrics. Aren't we, after all, meant to be sanctuaries... providing safe and protected spaced for those who come to us... not just those from our church but those on the street, those from other countries, those in need. Only in providing a sacred place of safety and security can we hope to show people our Lord's loving protection of all His children. Lord, may I be the sanctuary that echos your words: "Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)

Safe Souls
Proverbs 12:3

"Doing evil brings no safety at all, but a good person has safety and security." (Proverbs 12:3)

"Better safe than sorry." "Safety first." "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." But, sometimes we don't. Sometimes the deceiving charm of 'instant gratification' can seem all too alluring. It whispers: "What they don't know won't hurt them." "No harm, no foul." "Risk big, win big."

A good person is safe not because they'll never face troubles, or they'll never have their home broken into. But, a good person doesn't have to worry about being 'found out.' They're already out there... transparent. Evil things will be brought to light soon, and people are surprisingly perceptive. They'll figure you out before you know it. Lord teach me to embody Your goodness, so that I and all that I encounter may safely and securely reside in Your love.

Safe Sinners
Mark 15:21-47

"Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died. The curtain in the Temple was torn into two pieces, from the top to the bottom." (Mark 15:37-38)

The curtain! Torn in two! What a scandal! Can you imagine what that meant for the Jews? The careful separation that kept them "safely" on one side and the priests on the other side was no more. It was gone, destroyed... in both a physical sense and a real sense. No more Holier than Thou to go between them and God, instead the intercession of the Holy Spirit who teaches us how to pray. No more sacrifices to atone for their sins, instead the blood spilt for us from our Lord and Savior. We are safe to enter into God's presence. Though Jesus, God has removed the barrier that separated sinners from him.