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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise I praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who is my great High Priest. At the beginning of his preaching ministry, Jesus quoted Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:17–19). Hallelujah, what a Savior! Today in Your Word Today you told me about the ordination of Aaron and his sons, the first Levitical priests. Unlike the secret rites of the pagan religions surrounding Israel, Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons in full view of the people (Lev 8:3–5). The ceremony began with washing, signifying spiritual cleansing in preparation for the duties of the priesthood. Then Aaron was clothed with the high priestly garments, setting him apart as leader of the priests and showing that you equip those you have called for service. Then Moses anointed the Tabernacle and Aaron with holy oil, a symbol of the sanctifying and enabling power of the Holy Spirit (cf. Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38). Next, Moses clothed Aaron’s sons with priestly garments, setting them apart from the other Levites as your designated mediators. Finally, three animals were sacrificed: a bull for the purification (sin) offering, a ram for the burnt offering and a ram of ordination. These sacrifices spoke of the need for atonement for sin and the complete consecration of their lives in service to you. The ordination period lasted seven days, the number of perfection. During those seven days, and for five days after, each tribe presented an offering to you. They all gave the same offering so that all would share equally in the support of the Tabernacle and priesthood. In this way all the tribes were represented and no tribe had preeminence. Reflection The seven day ordination ceremony underscores how seriously you take the consecration of your servants to the work of ministry. Do I take time each day to renew my dedication to you? Request Father, set my heart and life apart for your service. Help me to live each moment under the influence of the Spirit, and enable me to do the work that you have given me. Thanksgiving Thank you for the promise that you are able to keep me blameless until the coming of Jesus Christ. “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it” (1 Thess 5:23–24). In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” by George Croly. Meditation Verse: Leviticus 8:12. |