Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Priest: Ambassadors of Christ
V. 7 “ then you shall take the anointing oil ad to pour it on his head and anoint him.”
Greetings you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
I start by borrowing a quote from Walter Bagehot-“ An ambassador is not simply an agent; he is also a spectacle.”
The theme for our meditation is Priest: Ambassadors of Christ and the given text is from Exodus 29: 1-21. The word ambassador means a person who acts as a representative or promoter of a specified activity. They are appointed for a specific mission. Usually, this word ambassador uses in a country to be representative of the other countries or sometimes powers. Ambassadors do not come with their own agenda. They do not come on their own authority. Ambassadors, actually, come on the agenda of another and the authority of another whom they represent. in German, the word for ambassador is Botschafter, which, translated literally into English, means “messenger.”
In the bible, the title Ambassadors of Christ is coined by Paul. Paul’s second letter to Corinthians 5: 20 says “we are ambassadors of Christ”.
The assigned scripture portion for our meditation is from the book of Exodus 29:1-21 which describes the particular orders given concerning the consecration of the priests. Here is, the law concerning the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priest's office, which was to be done with a great deal of ceremony and solemnity, that they themselves might be duly affected with the greatness and magnitude of the work to which they were called.
I would like to share a few thoughts based on the given topic Priest: Ambassadors of Christ under the heading “ABC”
1, Anointed as the ambassador of Christ,
Coming to the scripture Exodus 29: 7&21 says “ you shall take the anointing oil and pour it on his head” Aron and his sons are to be anointed as priests with special duties and responsibilities to minister for Israel. They were to be clothed with the holy garments (v. 5, 6, 8, 9), to signify that it was not sufficient for them to put away the pollutions of sin, but they must put on the graces of the Spirit, be clothed with righteousness, Ps 132 9. They must be girded, as men prepared and strengthened for their work; and they must be robed and crowned, as men that counted their work and office their true honor. The garments and the position demand them to the purpose in which they are anointed and called out. Dear friends, we are anointed as the ambassadors of Christ Jesus. As for ambassadors of Christ, we should be able to give others great love as Christ has shown.
2, Burned offerings as the ambassador of Christ,
Exodus 29:18 says “ it is a burnt offering unto the Lord: it is a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the Lord. It means a sacrificial life of the priest as the ambassador's Christ. The burnt offering is in one sense the most "complete" of all the sacrifices offered to God. Burned means nothing left aside, We as a whole give to the Lord to fulfill His mission. Jesus Christ is described as the one who reconciles us to God through his offering up of himself on the cross. We as an ambassador need to deny ourselves and take up the cross and follow Jesus.
3, Consecrated as the ambassador of Christ
Chapter 29 of Exodus begins with the word “consecrate them”. And again, in vs 21 21 And thou shalt take of the blood that is upon the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it upon Aaron, and upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be hallowed, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons' garments with him towards the end of chapter 28, the Lord told Moses the purpose of the special garments which were made for Aaron and his sons. In verse 41, he said “So you shall put them on Aaron your brother and on his sons with him. You shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests.” (Exodus 28:41). In the Bible the word consecration means “the separation of oneself from things that are unclean, especially anything that would contaminate one’s relationship with a perfect God.” Consecration also carries the connotation of sanctification, holiness, or purity. Being consecrated is a critical component in our relationship with God and to those in the world. Paul tells us, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).
Dear friends, as the ambassador's Christ, we are anointed and consecrated as an offering for Christ. Let us submit to fulfill God's will through us. Let us be good ambassadors for Christ. God bless you all. Amen.
Gracious Lord, anoint and consecrate us as your ambassadors like a burnt offering for the extension of thy kingdom. Amen.
Vicar, Philadelphia St Thomas,Delaware Valley