October 7, 2023

I had a girl's day with my daughter, sister-in-law, and niece yesterday. It was fun to peruse a vintage market to prepare for the holidays. After that, we went to the farmer's market to get squash since I can't keep my plants alive long enough to produce an abundance. That wasn't all; I canned some pineapple from the market last night, and two jars didn't seal. It was very disappointing because they are not shelf stable if they don't seal. There may have been a blemish on the jar or lid that I overlooked. In any case, those two jars would not serve us well to keep in the cupboard, so we will eat them immediately. 

According to the Law of Moses, anyone with a blemish or a disability was excluded from serving as a priest. It seems very harsh because God is the one who created us, and some are disabled from birth. However, God is pure and holy, so anyone coming near him must be perfect. I'm unsure how he found anyone to serve him back in that day because we are all imperfect. This portion of scripture in Leviticus reminds us of how unworthy we are without Jesus. Hidden within Jesus, we can approach the throne of God and serve him without fear. We are shelf-stable and unblemished, like my pineapple jars that sealed properly. 

No man that hath a blemish of the seed of Aaron the priest shall come nigh to offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire: he hath a blemish; he shall not come nigh to offer the bread of his God. Leviticus 21:21

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16