Read: Malachi 3:1-5
"Behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the LORD. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years."
Malachi 3:1-4
When I was a kid, I was in 4H for a year or two. And one of my volunteer activities was to clean dogs at the Maumelle Animal Shelter. I remember spending a large part of a Saturday just cleaning dogs: big dogs, small dogs, filthy dogs, and cranky dogs. Some dogs enjoyed the bath–they liked playing in the water–but most did not. For me, it was quite a task to hold the canine beasts still long enough to get them clean. The bath was for their benefit. They not only smelled better, but they seemed to feel better after a good bath. Yet, many still fought me the whole time I was bathing them. I still remember being exhausted after that day. It was hard, nasty work–and I never volunteered to clean dogs again.
In Hebrew, the name “Malachi” means “my messenger.” Thus, he is a fitting prophet to declare the coming of John the Baptist. In fact, Malachi’s message and life may have been foreshadowing the coming of the messenger of Immanuel.
John the Baptist’s had several pointed messages; however, none were as significant as the impact of Jesus’ ministry. The Messiah, according to verses 2-3, will be “like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap.” The work of Jesus was a work that purges mankind of his sin and cleanses him from all unrighteousness. Notice in 3b, “they [children of God] will bring offerings in righteousness.” The impact of Christ’s work on the cross purifies all who repent and believe of their sins and transgressions before the Lord. We no longer stand condemned before God. We no longer are unrighteous and unholy before God. Now, washed by the blood of Christ, we are new creatures, and approach Him clothed in purity and holiness. This purity and holiness, however, is not our own. It is the righteousness of Christ that covers us. We (all who follow Jesus) now approach God robed in the righteousness of the one who washed us clean.
Make no mistake, our refinement and cleansing came at a high price. It wasn’t easy. It cost Jesus much pain and hardship–it cost Him His life. Yet, the benefits we experience cannot be adequately praised by any action finite man can make. Furthermore, we were not purified for our own sake, but we were ultimately purified for the glory and pleasure of God. He saves us so that we may be vessels for His ministry and His honor.
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Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your holy sacrifice on the cross. Your earthly work started in the womb of Mary, but it climaxed three days after you were crucified on a cross. May I never forget what you have done for me. Now, as your holy temple, may my life be evident of the righteousness that you displayed on Calvary.