A Journey Afar Off
“Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.”Numbers 9:10 (KJV)
Passover had a set day. But what about the Israelite who couldn’t keep it, because he was unclean or travelling? God made room for him. “If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.”
There was a second passover, a month later, for the ones who were far away the first time. God didn’t want anyone left out because of distance.
Paul uses the same language for us. “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” And on the day of Pentecost, Peter said, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
If you feel like you missed your chance with God, that you are too far away or too late, there is still a place at the table. The blood that brings near is enough for those who come from far off.
Read it yourself
Read Numbers 9:6–14. What did Moses do when the men asked about keeping the passover?
Do you ever feel too far off to come back to God? What does this passage say to that?
Father, I was far off, and you brought me near by the blood of Christ. Thank you for making room for me. Amen.