Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The Lord instructed Moses
to stage a demonstration wherein he would settle forever who the
great high priest over the nation of Israel was. He had them take
a rod, that is a staff denoting authority, from each of the leaders
of the twelve tribes alongside the rod of Aaron. The Lord calls
the rod of Aaron to bud, bringing forth blossoms, and ultimately
almonds. Nothing like this was seen before or since, as the
Lord openly declared His choice for the office of High Priest,
not only Aaron, but Aaron's seed after him. In this demonstration,
we cannot help but see, by way of type and foreshadow, the Lord's
singular approval of our great High Priest, whose priesthood
is greater than that of Aaron. For Aaron could not continue
in his office by reason of death. But he who is the one true high
priest over the household of God is a priest forever after
the order of Melchizedek. He ever lives to make intercession
for the sons of God, who are his seed, and are made in his
likeness to be kings and priests. And they sung a new song, saying,
thou art worthy to take the book, to open the seals thereof, for
thou was slain and has redeemed us to God by thy blood out of
every kindred and tongue and people, and nation, and has made
us unto our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy
nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises
of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light, which in time past were not a people, but are now the
people of God, which had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy. Yet as grand as that station
is to which the sons of God are called, all of their power and
authority resides in Him from whom all of their blessings flow.
Without Him they can do nothing, and it is owing to His priestly
work that they have any standing whatsoever to minister among
the household of God. He plainly told his disciples
that the disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above
his Lord. Whosoever will be great among
you shall be your minister, and whosoever of you will be the
chiefest shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man
came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
his life a ransom for many. The Lord has given us his example,
that we should follow his steps. Christ is that rod which budded.
Those rods which were placed in the tabernacle of testimony
were all without life. Yet the rod of Aaron budded.
Christ is as that root out of a dry ground. There was nothing
that men could see with the eye of the flesh and testified of
the fact that he had life in himself. After all, he was only
Jesus of Nazareth, the carpenter's son. Can any good thing come
out of Nazareth? He had no beauty that we should
desire him. Yet he was that one sent by God to give life unto
those which were hidden in him from the beginning. Not only
did that rod produce buds, but his life-giving blood, which
was shed for many for the remission of sins, is that nectar which
causes those branches to grow from the vine. It is by his power
and life that the branches are sustained, even as it is by the
shedding of his blood that they are made free from condemnation
and the law of sin and death. We read that this rod bloomed
blossoms, which are the portent of that which is to come. Blossoms
are not the fruit, but rather the precursor to the fruit. There
can be no fruit where there is no blossom. But without faith
it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him. Faith is the gift of God. Faith
cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. He gives
men ears to hear the glorious sound of his call. My sheep hear
my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. And I give unto
them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall any
man pluck them out of my hand. Not only blossoms were upon this
rod, but it brought forth almonds. Faith which stands alone is not
true faith. Saving faith is that which is
produced by the work of the Lord, and not in any wise a part of
some cooperative effort between the one who believes and him
who brings forth fruit unto everlasting life. Faith without works is
dead. While we do earnestly desire
to see His works in us, we most fervently desire to be found
holding fast to that work which He, who is our faith, has performed
for us. Work out your own salvation with
fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you, both
to will and to do of His good pleasure. These are almonds which
remain ever fresh and satisfying. Have you believed on this Savior?
For a free CD containing 15 of these radio broadcasts, send
an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.