SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ [John 20:21-23]
This ceremony of ordination, setting aside Aaron and his sons for the priestly task, is an anticipation of what Jesus does here.
He ordains His followers with the Holy Spirit to enable them to be agents (priests) of forgiveness in the world.
Seems like overkill, a whole week ceremony?
And more blood, blood on the earlobes, thumbs and toes?
Oil and bread, sacrifices for the altars and utensils.
Its as if God is saying, ‘this is a HUGE deal, take it seriously!!!’
This is exactly what He is saying.
Otherwise His servants tend to forget.
Have we not forgotten what a HUGE deal it is for us as Jesus-followers to spread the message o grace and forgiveness?
Are we fulfilling our assignment?
This ceremony was intended to show the community that no one was better than others, even the priests needed their sins covered.
The sprinkled blood on the ear lobes, thumbs and toes was a symbolic way of saying their whole body was covered by the scapegoat, from head to toe and everything in between.
The punishment they deserve for any and all failure is taken care of, God sees them as already punished and forgiven.
They are now considered holy (sinless), not because they do not sit, but because their sin is taken care of.
My sins have been covered.
I am forgiven, God does not hold my guilt and failure against me.
The punishment I deserve has been taken care of by Jesus in my place.
The Holy Spirit (symbolized by anointing oil) is on me, in me, and is working through me.
I am God’s servant, God’s messenger, God’s priest.
PRAYER:
Lord, You have died in my place. I am forgiven and free. Now You ask me to share this message with others. Anoint me with Your Spirit!
Called to be priests.
What a ceremony!
What a ritual! Maybe this is why some churches have all their rituals and customs and habits showing the importance of the event.
Once again the blood, the offering and the blood upon the priests. Christ was slaughtered and His blood shed so that I to am set apart for service, priestly service. And the intense ceremony then show me today that this is not to be taken lightly. As the ceremony lasted seven days and they were in that office forever, so I took must remember my office and what it took to bring me there. Christ Jesus.
Set apart to serve Him today and all my todays. Bought with a price. Equipped by His Spirit. Doing what the Lord requires of me.
GodStrong. LiveStrong. SpiritStrong. LiveStrong in Him. Fitted for service. His champion.
All that I am I owe to Thee,
Thy wisdom, Lord, has fashioned me;
I give my Maker thankful praise,
Whose wondrous works my soul amaze.
Ere into being I was brought,
Thine eye did see, and in Thy thought
My life in all its perfect plan
Was ordered ere my days began.