Thursday, February 8, 2018

Thurs.’s Devo - The Garments of the Priest

Read: Exodus 28:1-43; Matthew 25:31-26:13; Psalm 31:9-18:Proverbs 8:12-13
Aaron and his sons were to be the priests to the Lord. Aaron was to act as high priest and wear the sacred garments: the breast piece, the ephod, robe, tunic, turban and sash. They were to be sewn with blue, purple and scarlet yarn. Blue represents heaven, purple is royalty and scarlet stands for the blood of Jesus. The high priest wore the stones of the tribes over his heart to show his devotion to pray for his people. He also wore their names engraved on his shoulders so when God looked down from heaven he saw their names also. All of the pieces represent the garments we wear as Christians as written in Ephesians 6. We are to wear the belt of truth, the breast plate of righteousness and have our feet ready and prepared to share the gospel. We are to take up the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Aaron’s sons were to wear the tunic, sash, and headband to give them dignity and honor. That means that our righteousness, faith and salvation in Christ are to give us our identity as God’s chosen people. Our garment of truth and our walk is what keeps us alive and free of guilt and able to minister in the presence of God. How we live is vitally important to our ministry.
In Matthew, Jesus continues his teaching on the end of time. When he comes back in his glory, he will separate the sheep from the goats. The sheep will be blessed and go to their reward because they ministered to the least of the people as unto the Lord.
Jesus showed us how to do this in his life. He went to Bethany and stayed with Simon, who was a leper and received and honored women. Both of these kinds of people were outcast in the eyes of the world, but not in Jesus’ world.
Lord, open our eyes to see the world in your eyes. May we wear the robes of the priest yet humble ourselves as slaves.

No comments: