Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Priests called to be imitators of Christ

Leviticus 8:1-15
Leviticus 8:6 Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons forward and washed them with water. (NIV)

Summary of the book of Leviticus chapter 8 is based on the ceremony for ordaining or consecrating priests of the LORD. The prophet was told to gather Aaron and his sons before the entire camp of the children of Israel. God was about to magnify Aaron and his sons before the eyes of the entire camp of the congregation. The chapter began with an actual purification ceremony as God commanded Moses.

Priest: Washed by the work of God’s word (V: 8:1-6)
Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.  All priestly ministries began with cleansing, and a cleansing that was received. Aaron and his sons did not wash themselves; they received a washing. Like these priests, every Christian is washed by the work of God’s word (Ephesians 5:26), by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). This cleansing work was accomplished by the death of Jesus for us (Revelation 1:5) and is appropriated by faith.

Priest: Clothed by the garments given by God (V:8: 7-9)   
After being cleansed, the priest had to be clothed. He had to put on garments given by God.  We need to note that these garments were provided for them, but not in his own clothes.  Like these priests, every believer is clothed in Jesus Christ and in His righteousness (Revelation 3:5). These are clothes that are given freely by Jesus. 

Priest: Anointed by the Holy Spirit. (V: 8:10-13)
Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and consecrated them. The priests of Israel also had to be anointed. The oil (a picture of the Holy Spirit) was poured over their heads, indicating that it was given in great measure, not in small measure (Psalm 133:2). This means that the anointing oil set Aaron apart. He was a priest of the Living God. Every believer has an anointing (1 John 2:20) that they may receive and walk in by faith.

The ministries of the priesthood are summarized in the OT as that of teaching the Word of God and administering divine worship (Deut. 33:10). These priests were first to be washed with water. Here in chapter 8, we have seven sections, each concluded by the statement that everything was done as the Lord had commanded Moses (vv. 4, 9, 13, 17, 21, 29, 36). In this way stress is laid on the importance of our obedience in offering worship to God. Psalm 119:11 says, “How shall a young man cleanse his ways? By taking heed to the word’’. In John 15:3 Jesus said, “Now you are clean through the word that I have spoken to you.” Paul tells us in Ephesians 5, “We are washed with the water of the word”. Thus, an effective servant of God is the one who has been washed by the work of God’s Word, clothed by the garments given by God and Anointed by the Holy Spirit. 
 
PRAYER
“Thank you, LORD, for cleansing me this day through Your Word.”
 
Thought of the day
"The Priesthood is a call, not a career; a redefinition of self, not just a new ministry; a way of life, not a job; a state of being, not just a function; a permanent, lifelong commitment, not a temporary style of service; an identity, not just a role.  We are priests; yes, the doing, the ministry, is mighty important, but it flows from the being; we can act like priests, minister as priests, preach as priests, because first and foremost we are priests!  Being before act!"  (Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, - Priests for the Third Millennium)
 
Rev. George Abraham Kallooppara
MTC, Austin

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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