Anointing your mind, hands and feet for the Gospel

In Leviticus 14 there is a remarkable lesson on being born again for full service to the Lord from the instructions given for cleansing a leper. You’ll recall that leprosy required the afflicted person to quarantine; that is, separate from family and friends until cured. Let’s look at the analogy to our situation today.

Bad relationships separate us from family and friends. Sin separates us from an intimate walk with God. The instruction in this chapter is to wash (be baptized) to show the world that the one cleansed has been born again. In Leviticus 14:14 we read:

“The priest is to take some of the blood of the guilt offering and put it on the lobe of the right ear of the one to be cleansed, on the thumb of their right hand and on the big toe of their right foot.”

In verse 28 the priest/elder is to do the same with oil—anoint the ear lobe, thumb and big toe with oil. Why these three body parts?

The ear lobe: We are to commit our mind to the Lord.
The thumb: We are to commit our deeds, the work of our hands, to the Lord.
The big toe: We are to commit our steps, the places we visit, to the Lord.

These concepts are heavily covered in the New Testament. For example, the Apostle Paul urges us to “live a life worthy of the gospel.” (Phil 1:27)

In your prayer to the Lord, commit your mind, hands and feet to His service. One practical way to do that is to enter a profile on MissionNext with your criteria for service in the global cause for the Gospel. Every discipline is needed from handyman to hospitality, health fields, history teacher, human resources and much more.