Serve with Zeal, Reverence, and Joy

Parashah Nasso - "Elevate"
Torah: Bamidbar (Numbers) 4:21 – 7:89
Haftarah: Judges 13:2-25
Pirkei Avot: Chapter 6
The previous Parashah of Bamidbar ends with a census being taken from the tribe of Levi from the families of Kohath, ahead of the families of Gershon. But this should not be taken as an elevation of the families of Kohath over the families of Gershon, rather it signifies reverence to the Ark, for which the Kohathites were responsible. To emphasize the equality of the two families, the Scripture says in this second Parashah, Parashah Nasso, "Nasso gam-hem," "take also a census," literally "raise up as well," i.e., give honor as well to the families of Gershon. The Kohathites carried the most sacred parts of the Tabernacle, while the Gershonites carried the less sacred. But by saying, "as well," the Torah makes the point that both tasks are necessary for the Tabernacle and both should be done with equal zeal, reverence and joy. This is an implied message to people who may not have the ability of doing certain jobs for the Kingdom of God. It is easy for such people to be discouraged, but to this, God responds that whether one bears the exalted Ark or only the curtains, every role is significant, because each is a unique participant in the sacred service and worship of Yehovah.
Many centuries later, God conveys the same message through the apostle Shaul who writes in 1 Corinthians 12:
"To each is given the disclosure of the Ruach HaKodesh for the common benefit. To one, through the Ruach HaKodesh, is given a word of wisdom; to another, according to the same Ruach HaKodesh, a word of knowledge; to another, by the same Ruach HaKodesh, faith; to another, by the one Ruach HaKodesh, gifts of healing... All these things are activated by the one and same Ruach HaKodesh, distributing individually to each one as He determines. For even as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so is Moshiach. For also in one Ruach HaKodesh we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or freedman, and all were given to drink, as it were, from one Ruach HaKodesh. For the body is not one, but many members. But the members should have the same deeds of lovingkindness and caring for one another."The parallelism between the Scriptures describing the hearts of men in the process of building the Tabernacle and the hearts of men in the process of building the Ekklesia, the new spiritual Temple, is striking.
We further read in the Parashah: "It was on the day that Moshe had finished setting up the Tabernacle that he anointed it, and sanctified it, and all its instruments, both the Altar and all its utensils, and had anointed them, and sanctified them. The leaders of Israel, the heads of the house of their fathers, who were the leaders of the tribes, and who were those who were counted, brought offerings. And they brought their offering before the Lord." Bamidbar 7:1
Moshe finished erecting the Tabernacle and anointed it and sanctified it, so, too, our Messiah finished erecting the Ekklesia, the New Holy Tabernacle in His body, anointed it and sanctified it by sending the Holy Spirit, the Ruach HaKodesh. And just as the people of Israel responded to the awesomeness of the earthly Tabernacle bringing offerings from their overflowing hearts, so too the believers seeing the awesomeness of the new Tabernacle, the Ekklesia, brought gifts above and beyond their abilities with hearts overflowing with joy:
"And they were constantly devoting themselves to the Moshiach Shluchim's (apostles') teaching and to the Messianic Chavura (fellowship), to the shared meals with breaking bread and to prayer. All were filled with awe, and many wonders and signs through Moshiach's Shluchim were taking place. And all those who had believed were together and they were having all things in common. And they were selling properties and possessions and were distributing tzedakah to everyone as someone had need. And day by day, devoting themselves with one mind in the courts of the Beit Hamikdash, and from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart praising Yehovah, and having favor with all the people." Acts 2:42 As we approach Shavuot which commemorates the outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh and, traditionally, the giving of the Torah, may God teach us to have again this awe of His Tabernacle, of His Ekklesia, and be together, Jews and Gentiles, two loaves of fine flower as the Shavuot offering, with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God for He had mercy on all of us, Jews and Gentiles, while we were sinners. And, as sanctified utensils of this New Tabernacle, spread the Good News to Jews and Gentiles alike, using with zeal, reverence, and joy the gifts that the Ruach HaKodesh gave to each, because each member of the body is an important instrument for the Kingdom.