This chapter describes how the Prince of Israel and the people are to conduct themselves within the temple in on the Sabbath and specific feasts.
” ‘When the people of the land come before the Lord at the appointed feasts, he who enters by the north gate to worship shall go out by the south gate, and he who enters by the south gate shall go out by the north gate: no one shall return by way of the gate by which he entered, but each shall go out straight ahead. When they enter, the prince shall enter with them, and when they go out, he shall go out.’ ” (v9-10)
When this temple is built, there will be tens of thousands of people passing through it, especially during feasts and on Sabbath days. God knows that logistics will be an issue, so He has already ordained traffic flow, and specificied gate usage. God also wants the prince to be ‘one of the people’ during festivals – he receives no special treatment. This reflects Jesus, who mingled with the ‘common folk’ throughout His ministry, despite the fact He could have sought to be ‘King of the World’.
Despite people having different roles, responsibilities, statuses, ethnicities, etc., all people past and present are equal in God’s eyes. We are all created in God’s image, so no person is ‘better’ or ‘greater’ than another. Even the future prince will be seen as equal to the people, just like Jesus was treated commonly (He was even tried and executed according to common practices).
Let’s not self-aggrandize, self-deprecate, or value anyone else higher/lower than ourselves, for any reason. We are all created equally in God’s image, and we are all worthy of the same respect and love. Part of loving ourselves and our neighbors is treating everyone equally regardless of any descriptors or labels we bear. This is highly counter-cultural and contrary to our sinful nature, so let’s ask for the Spirit’s help in this.
Father God, our Glorious King and Everlasting Lord, You alone are worthy of elevation and praise. Spirit please lead us in respecting and loving everyone (including ourselves) in accordance with God’s will. May we love, honor and respect everyone properly, treating them as being equally created in God’s image. May we truly love our neighbors and ourselves as Jesus does, and serve You our Lord by doing so. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training