Manna Moments

⏱️1-2 min read

A Call to Spiritual Readiness

In Mishnah Middot 1:2, the Levites were charged with maintaining vigilance during the night watches. Their duty was to guard the gates, storerooms, and ensure that nothing unclean entered the Temple. If a Levite was found asleep on duty, the punishment was both severe and humiliating: his garment would be set aflame to awaken him. This act was not meant to destroy him, but to shame him publicly and remind all priests of the seriousness of their sacred responsibility.

Jesus draws upon this priestly imagery in His admonition to remain watchful:

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” Rev.16:15

What does this mean for us today? According to Isaiah 61:10, God Himself clothes His people with “garments of salvation” and “a robe of righteousness.” Jesus is warning us to guard against anything that would defile our salvation or compromise our right standing with Him. Just as the Levites were charged to protect the Temple gates, we too must stand watch over the gates of our own temple—our body, heart and mind that has been surrendered to God.