“If the man who is unclean does not cleanse himself, that person shall be cut off from the midst of the assembly, since he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. Because the water for impurity has not been thrown on him, he is unclean.”

Numbers 19:20 (ESV)

When I was a child, I hated going to the dentist. I dreaded the taste, smell, and pain of having my teeth drilled! But there was one thing I looked forward to: Highlights for Children magazine. I would always find the “Hidden Pictures” page and try to find the items hidden in the big picture.

As an adult, I discovered that there are hidden pictures of Jesus in the Old Testament. He is in the Old Testament concealed and in the New Testament revealed. I believe we see one such picture of Jesus in Numbers 19 in the red heifer that was used for purification.

Man has a basic problem of being unclean. If a person touched a dead body, he would be considered unclean. It would only be through the ritual washing of purification that he could be ceremonially cleansed. The ashes of the red heifer were needed for this purpose.

Today, we are only cleansed from “dead things” that we touch (or participate in) by the blood of Jesus Christ and the washing with His word. Thankfully, He does this, as we surrender our lives to Him and ask Him to search our hearts. It is Christ’s tender faithfulness to cleanse us that Paul mentions while telling husbands to love their wives.

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”

Ephesians 5:25–27 (NKJV)

How we all need this work of our Lord to purify us and make us fit for service! But what if we refuse to come to Him for cleansing? Then not only will we be personally defiled, but we will also defile others. Therefore, let us come often to our Lord Jesus who cleanses us so much better than the ashes of a red heifer.

Thanks for reading. I’m glad you’re here. 😊