In
order to make the priests visibly elite and to publish their appointed
task between sinners and a holy God, they were ordered to wear special
garments. Part of the distinctive clothing Moses was commanded to
provide to Aaron and his sons to use while ministering on behalf of the people,
was the turban. It was to have a label fastened
right on the front of it – right between Aaron’s eyes. The inscription that God required to be etched
onto this sign was “Holy To The LORD” (Exodus 28:36-38 & 39:30-31). This identified Aaron as the people's representative before God and allowed their sacrifices to bear the guilt of their
sins. This statement was also a
constant reminder for Aaron, his sons, and for Israel that the
atonement being made on their behalf was allowed by God's graciousness;
not because of any holiness on their part. God willing
to transfer their iniquities to their offerings so as to provide
atonement for their
many offenses.
In the New Testament era, Jesus fulfilled this priestly role for
us by His selfless sacrifice at Calvary. He was the epitome of holiness as He took our
sins with Him to the cross in order to atone for them with His own blood. He became holiness for us in order to
separate us from our sins and mediate between us and God. Now, being washed by His blood, He continues
to provide us with direct access to the Father. He will forever be our mediator and high priest. And as Peter says all Christians, being cleansed by His blood, are now given the privilege to serve
as priests and stand before Him. Thus, in Christ, we are now deemed by God to be "Holy To The LORD".
However,
just like in the history of the Old Testament, it is
possible that God’s priests today (Christians) profane their being holy
to the Lord by not living up to the standards God has set for us. He created us to be holy (that is righteous, faithful, virtuous, pure, etc.). It
is to be written across our foreheads that we belong to Him and represent Him
(Revelation 7:3). Yet many live
according to their lusts; they change God's rules to suit themselves;
they mix popular cultural philosophies and practices rather than
following God's Word. The result is that many seekers and lost souls
continue to wander through life aimlessly without the divine blessings
of God's grace because those sent to mediate for them do not represent
the Lord's holiness. And these unholy priests themselves stagnate in
their faith and fall into Satan's traps of apathy, arrogance, and
imprudence.
Is your life a testimony of God's grace and holiness? Are you being a faithful mediator for souls in search of their Creator? Can others count on you to
bring them closer to God? Renew your mind by committing
yourself daily to being holy and showing others the right way
to live. Let it be known (right between
your eyes) that you’re striving to be “Holy To The Lord”.
Doug
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