The next command regarding eating the Passover lamb is that it had to be roasted on the fire, not boiled in water or eaten raw. This command looks forward to Jesus’ willingly sacrificing his life. Just prior to his crucifixion he said, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:49-53)
Prior to this John said concerning Jesus, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” (Luke 3:16)
What is fire in the Scripture? What does it represent? Why did God’s Law demand that certain sinners be burned after they were stoned to death for their sin? To illustrate endless torture in Hell as most religious people think? Hardly.
1 This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death. 2He said, “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand. 3 Yes, he loved his people, all his holy ones were in his hand; so they followed in your steps, receiving direction from you, 4 when Moses commanded us a law, as a possession for the assembly of Jacob. (Deuteronomy 33:1-4, ESV)
Notice in this passage that “flaming fire” is at, or in, God’s right hand. Notice also that his “holy ones” are in his hand. God’s holy ones literally comprise his flaming fire. These are those who follow in God’s steps. They know his way. These are those that receive direction from their LORD. They respect and obey the law he commanded Moses.
Now consider the book of Daniel.
9″As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. 10 A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. (Daniel 7:9-10 ESV)
Here once again we see God described in terms of fire. Fire defines his very throne, the symbol of his rule and authority. So, now let’s consider what Jesus meant when he told his disciples that they must be salted with fire.
43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another. (Mark 9:43-50)
Everyone shall be salted with fire. You and I are no exceptions. So, then, are we to pluck out our eyes when we look upon anything or anyone with lust? Are we to cut off our arms or our feet if we find that we sin by using them? Isn’t this what Jesus tells us to do? If he does not mean for us to do that, then what does he mean? Can we follow any instructions that he gives us? How can we know what to do and what not to do? How do we know when he speaks literally and when he does not? How can I know anything!
“The sum of thy word is truth,” declared the psalmist. Study this word. Learn it. Know it. Obey it. In Scripture “fire” describes the application of God’s word. Those who learn to apply it in this life save their souls and become tools in the hand of God. Those who do not shall have their part in the Lake of Fire. They too will be salted with fire in due course. Jesus tells his disciples to apply the word now. Salt yourself with fire now, while you still have a choice in the matter.
