Thurs.’ Devo - Sanctifying the Priests

Read: Exodus 29:1-30:10; Matthew 26:14-46; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 8:14-26 God gave Moses instructions for consecrating Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. They were to take a young bull and two rams that were spotless, along with unleavened bread made with olive oil that had been placed in a single basket at the entrance of the Tabernacle. Aaron and his sons were to stand there and be washed and dressed in the priestly garments. When they were ready, they were to place their hands on the head of the bull, transferring their sins to the animal. The bull would be killed and its blood sprinkled on the horns of the brazen altar which stood for the cross. This ceremony was to represent how Jesus offered his life as a ransom for our sins. The inner parts of the bull were to be kept but its body was to be burned outside the camp as a sin offering. Jesus’ body was beaten, bruised and torn but his soul and his spirit was present before the Lord. Aaron and his sons then laid their hands on the other ram and slaughtered it and its blood was applied to the right earlobes, the thumbs of their right hand, and the big toes of their right foot. This was to represent their ability to hear and discern truth, serve with clean hands and walk uprightly. Aaron and his sons were to lift this bull and unleavened bread up before the Lord as a special gift. This would be their portion that they would eat with the Lord. This ceremony would continue for seven days with sacrifices being made daily in the morning and the evening. This would serve to sanctify the priests and the altar. If they did what the Lord required, he would live among them and be their God and the would know that He was the one who brought them out of Egypt in order that God could live among them. Moses was to make another altar for incense that would sit just outside of the Holy of Holies right in front of the Ark of the Covenant. It would look like a mini Ark made of wood and covered with gold. Every morning when Aaron maintained the menorah he was to burn incense to the Lord. Once a year he was to purify this altar by applying blood to its horns. This altar was to represent the prayers made to the Lord by the saints. It was the most holy altar. In Matthew, Judas Iscariot had been in charge of Jesus’ finances and saw a way to get more money. Whether he believed Jesus when he said he was going to be handed up in Jerusalem and realized his source of income was about to be gone or what his motives were, we don’t know. We do know that he chose to sell Jesus life for thirty pieces of silver. More importantly, we know this: Jesus freely gave up his life for us. On the first day of Unleavened Bread, Jesus sent his disciples to set up the place where they would eat the Passover meal together. While they were eating, Jesus told them that one of them would betray him. He reminded them of the scriptures that prophesied that he must die, but woe to the man who betrays him. The disciples were very upset wanting to know who it could be. Even Judas asked if it would be him. Jesus blessed the bread and explained that it represented his body, then he blessed the wine and told them that this represented his blood. It would confirm the covenant between God and his people. His sacrifice would forgive the sins of many. They sang a song and then went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus warned them that the Shepherd would be struck and the sheep would be scattered. Then he would be raised from the dead. Peter blurted that he would never deny Jesus, but Jesus told Peter that before the next morning he would deny him three times. Jesus took Peter, James and John up with him on the mountain to pray. While Jesus struggled with his mission ahead of him, he surrendered to God’s will. Meanwhile, the three disciples fell asleep. After the third time of checking on the disciples, Jesus told them the time had come. He looked up and saw his betrayer coming to take him. Lord, How great is the good ness you have stored up for this who fear you! Reading today’s scripture reminds us of the wonders of your unfailing love for us. May we be strong and courageous and put our hope in you.