Jerry Seinfeld, a successful American comedian, was asked for advice on becoming a comic. Seinfeld said the secret was to write. Every. Single. Day. Seinfeld bought a calendar, and marks an X on every day that he writes jokes. After a few days he has a string of X's. He doesn't worry about writing great jokes; he simply tries to not break the string.

Seinfeld's disciplined effort helps me process today's passage, which at first glance seems oddly off topic. God speaks through Haggai ″on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month″, which is 2 months after He last spoke and 4 months since He began speaking through the prophet Haggai (Haggai 2:10). The remnant has been clearing away rubble and rebuilding the temple for a while.

God quizzes the priests on the law. If someone carries consecrated meat in the fold of their garment, the garment itself will become holy (Leviticus 6:27), but what about whatever food the garment touches? Will that become holy too? The priests answered, ″No″ (Haggai 2:12). What about when an unclean person touches one of these foods? Will it become defiled? The priests said, ″Yes″ (v. 13).

God's point is that it's easier to become defiled than to be holy. Holiness requires disciplined, intentional effort. Sin requires nothing at all. Just do what comes naturally. When we're stuck, we instinctively lash out, plot revenge, or crumple in despair. Who would blame us? That's what most people would do, if left to themselves.

But we're not left to ourselves–God has provided a way! God says this remnant is defiled, so ″whatever they do and whatever they offer . . . is defiled″ (v. 14). We're not sure why they're defiled–perhaps it's the lingering stench of their idolatry and exile or their failure to rebuild the temple–but either way their solution is the same. Finish the temple. Then they can offer sacrifices that will make them holy.

These animal sacrifices worked because they pointed to Jesus, the perfect lamb of God whose sacrificial death fulfils all sacrifices (Hebrews 9:11-14). Sacrificial lambs could only cover sin. Jesus' sacrifice removes it. By His ″one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy″ (10:14).

Your intractable situation may be worsening by the day. You'd give anything to get out of this mess. Take courage! If you belong to Jesus, the most horrible mire of your life is resolved. Jesus has set you free from the grip and penalty of sin. You are secure in Him, regardless of what transpires in your situation. You are free in Christ to serve people, even those who contribute to your suffering. Every. Single. Day. Don't break the string.