THE STORY OF JESUS: Exodus 29-31
“So I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar and will consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve me as priests.” (Exodus 29:44)
Talk about very elaborate, very gory, very serious consecration details.
Why is God using such strong rituals to set aside the priests and the sanctuary?
In that time and culture, those rituals would have a very profound effect.
We live in a very different time, these rituals would turn off most western people.
But God is working with people who witnessed such rituals in Egypt.
He is also teaching and reshaping a people raised as slaves (social bottom dwellers) for centuries.
If this didn’t teach them the seriousness of their task, nothing would.
Sadly, even after all this, the leaders and people of Israel forgot.
What does it take for us to take our task seriously.
God did not consecrate us with elaborate rituals, but He did with a serious sacrifice.
The cross represents a very gory, very serious consecration for us, for our task.
We are called to love and serve in Jesus’ Name as God’s ambassadors, His priests.
We declare and demonstrate His grace, mercy, peace and love for all the people He died for.
“Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
Sadly, even after all this, the leaders and people of the church forget.
Today’s reading challenges us to reconsider the seriousness of our own calling.
To experience again the shock and wonder of God’s sacrifice, and His anointing of us.
“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2:9-10)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, forgive us for forgetting our high calling and holy purpose. We represent You wherever we go. May we reflect well Your grace, mercy, peace and love!
Do this and live.
Instructions for LIFE.
Following these regulations brings happiness – following the word of the Lord – for He is dwelling among them.
And so also today. Follow the Word of the Lord – not the rituals – but our/my assignment – to be workers in His Kingdom. And as He ‘filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills’ He continues to do so today. To be wise is to be filled with His Spirit. To be learned is only a possibility through the grace of God.
Help me daily to walk in Your Light Lord.
Lead me.
Guide me.
Make me an instrument of Your peace – dressed in Your armour -producing the fruit of the Spirit.
SpiritDriven.
GodStrong.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.