#DailyDevotion Thank God The Lord Is Impartial
Easter week 5 Thursday
Read Lev 24:1–23
Lev 24:16-22 Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death. (17) “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. (18) Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life. (19) If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, (20) fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. (21) Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. (22) You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the LORD your God.”
This doesn’t seem like a particularly gospel lesson for today. A man who is half Israelite and half Egyptian curses the name of the Lord. The Israelites didn’t know what to do with him. After a brief discussion about various laws of the Israelites, the Lord says everybody plays by the same rules, whether Israelite or foreigner. You shall have no partiality. So we do have a sense of justice with God. Paul recognizes this in Romans:
Rom 2:9-11 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, (10) but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. (11) For God shows no partiality.
God also shows no partiality when it comes to the Gospel. In Acts Peter is called to the Gentile Cornelius’ home. Act 10:34-36 “So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, (35) but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. (36) As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all),..,” The good news of God’s reconciliation with the world, Jews and Gentiles through faith in Jesus Christ is to be proclaimed without partiality. It is for everyone.
So the Law of God is impartial and so is the Gospel. God will not excuse your sins by the Law, you and I are all equally guilty under it. God also completely pardons your sins on account of the blood of Christ. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you’ve been, what you have done, what you used to believe and practice, what nation you are from or what political party you last supported and voted for. Jesus died and rose for you so that you can have peace with God the Father. You are acceptable to the Father on account of faith in Jesus’ name and work.
Lord God, Heavenly Father, we thank and praise you that you are a God of impartiality and you have shown that to us particularly bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to us. Continually grant us your Holy Spirit that we may persevere in this faith unto life everlasting and may we demonstrate your impartiality in our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.