July 8, 2022

Set your mind on things above, not on things of the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:2-3

In coming to Jesus, you are given new life! You are born again, and have put your old life of sin “to death.” For you died…  But what does it mean to be hidden with Christ? Most of the early Christians were Jews, so they understood this phrase as an explicit reference to the cities of refuge outlined in the Old Testament scriptures.

As the freed Israelites were settling in the promised land, each of the tribes was apportioned a specific area to settle and develop. The Levites were an exception, as they were given responsibility for the tabernacle services. They were also given forty-eight cities in which to live (Numbers 35), six of which were selected, per divine instructions, to be cities of refuge (vs.6,13). There were three on one side of the Jordan River and three on the other. The Levites were to establish and maintain these cities, presiding over them with judicial authority. The purpose of these cities was to provide refuge in a disputed case for anyone who had unintentionally caused a death.

On the west side of the Jordan were Kadesh, Shecham, and Hebron. On the east side were Golan, Ramoth-Gilead, and Bezer. The roads leading to them were to be smooth and well-maintained, along with clear signage that could be read easily by someone running from their pursuers (see Habakkuk 2:2). Once the accused arrived at the gate of one of these cities, he was to plead his case to the elders of the city who would admit him and offer asylum. If someone came to the gate demanding the blood of the accused, the elders of the city were not allowed to give him up. He was protected inside the city. The offender would live in the city until the trial. If the ruling of the high priest was in his favor, he could stay there until the death of the high priest, after which, he would be allowed  to return to his home and family. Before the trial, safety was guaranteed as long as the offender remained within the confines of the city. If, however, he chose to leave the city during this time, and the one who sought revenge found him, then the seeker of revenge could kill him without being held guilty of murder. This provision of refuge for the offenders meant the judicial system was designed with a blend of justice and mercy.

The deeper, spiritual lesson here is that we are to find refuge in the salvation that Jesus offers to us. As long as our lives are hidden with Christ then we are free from the condemnation of our guilty past. Jesus covers our unrighteous past with His robe of righteousness as long as our hearts are surrendered to Him. If we remain under the guidance of His Holy Spirit, continuing forward under the umbrella of His authority and protection, we are safe, and can have confidence of judgement in our favor. Jesus said:  

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” John 14:7-10