If indeed we are a chosen kingdom of royal priests, as Francis Schaeffer asked, how shall we then live?
Aaron and his sons, chosen and called to be God’s priests, as are we, had to be
purified
, cleansed and washed by the blood of the unblemished sacrifice. How wonderful to know Jesus paid the price, received the penalty of sin and took the wrath of the Father on himself to purchase us from the power and penalty of sin so we could be sons and priests of God.
Once washed, they were
anointed
. A definition of anoint is “smeared in preparation for.” An interesting feature of oil is that it doesn’t merely smooth the surface of things, but it penetrates beneath. I know this personally because my husband has eczema. Sometimes his skin gets so itchy and dry, constant application of lotions and oils is the only thing that helps soothe his skin. This particular oil was God’s special formula — a fragrant oil — for anointing, preparing them for the priesthood, representing the people to God. We know that throughout Scripture, oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit who seals us (at salvation — Ephesians 1:13), gives gifts to us, enables us and empowers us to do God’s will.
Then, they were
ordained
… they received specific and permanent instructions from God how to perform their duties — regarding the different sacrifices, the procedures, the maintenance of the lamp, incense and bread or in what they wore, how long they could wear it, what was an offering, what could be eaten, what should be burned on the altar or outside the camp, etc. Today are we too nonchalant in our approach to our Heavenly Father and how we regard our Savior? Are we too “familiar”? Perhaps some of the rituals answer that.
Finally, throughout these three chapters, they were
consecrated
… declared set apart for God’s purpose. That’s what we’re called to … the process of becoming more like Christ (Colossians 3:5–15), having been set apart, yielding to the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification and one day being complete in Christ.
Lord, may the veil covering our hearts be torn so that we may truly be your sanctuary, feasting on your bread, worshiping as a fragrant offering and shining your light all because of the mercy extended by the shed blood of the Lamb.
Sherry VanHuisen
