“It comes as a shock to some people to learn that Jesus did not die to make us happy; He died to make sinners holy. ‘Be holy, for I am holy’ was a frequent command to the Jews and it’s repeated in 1 Peter 1:15-16 for believers today. . . .” – Warren Wiersbe, Be Delivered

My last post explored the purpose of the priesthood and the High Priest. We learned that the priesthood with the sacrificial system was temporary. Through the priests and their work, God planned to prepare all people for the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ, God in flesh. Jesus, our great high priest, is superior to the Old Testament priests. Like the high priest, He mediates between God and us. But unlike the high priest who could only go before God once yearly, Christ is always available to hear our prayers and intercedes for us as our representative at the Father’s right hand. As a human, Jesus experienced a full range of temptations, but never sinned. He sympathizes with us in our weakness and assures us of God’s forgiveness and help when facing temptation.

It would be easy to gloss over this next section, “Consecration of the Priests”. But through a consistent study of the Old Testament, we’re given a deeper understanding and appreciation of the New Testament. When I read Wiersbe’s quote (below) I wonder if this truth gets muted in some of our churches where the main focus is on entertainment.

Jesus did not die to make us happy; He died to make sinners holy.”

This certainly isn’t a popular teaching. Many probably question: “Why would I want to follow God if He’s not for my happiness?” The truth is, however, God is for our joy and happiness. But being perfectly holy, He hates sin. Yes, He also loves the sinner, thankfully! But if we’re not cleansed from our sin, we won’t be living with Him for eternity (Rom. 6:23). God also knows that deep joy can only be ours when we are free from being entangled in sin. So He disciplines those He loves.

Joy is a by-product of living in God’s presence and is not dependent on our circumstances.

It would be wrong if I don’t finish Wiersbe’s quote before moving on: “The first step toward happiness is holiness. If we’re right with God, then we can start being right with others and with the circumstances of life that trouble us. If you aim for happiness, you’ll miss it, but if you aim for holiness, you’ll also find happiness in the Lord.”

Consecration of the Priests

To set the high priest and his sons apart as God’s servants, God commanded that they participate in a public consecration service. Wiersbe writes of at least seven stages in this service.

• The priests were washed (Ex. 29:4; Lev. 8:6). The Bible depicts sin with the following terms: disease (Isa. 1:4-6), darkness (1 John 1:5-10), drowning (Ps. 130:1-4), and even death (Eph. 2:1, 5; John 5:24), but frequently it’s pictured as dirt and defilement (Isa. 1:16, 18; Jer. 4:14; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 9:14; James 1:21; 4:8). Complete cleansing from the Lord was symbolized when Aaron and his sons were washed all over. Likewise, those who have placed their trust in Christ have also experienced this inward cleansing from the Lord (1 Cor. 6:9-11).
• The priests were clothed (Ex. 29:5-6, 8-9, 29-30; Lev. 8:7-9, 13). God instructed the priests to wear specific garments. Moses clothed his brother Aaron and his sons with linen tunics and bonnets. They dared not minister in the tabernacle without their official “uniforms”. Scripture likens the wearing of garments to the character and life of the believer. We are to put aside filthy garments of the old life and put on the beautiful “garments of grace” the Lord provides (Eph. 4:17-32; Col. 3:1-15). When Christ died on the cross He purchased a robe of righteousness for us (Isa. 61:10; 2 Cor. 5:17, 21).

I’ll conclude with the remaining stages of this consecration service in my next post.

Reflect

It’s always easier (and more comfortable) to point out sin in others. But God tells us “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away” (Isaiah 64:6). We can never achieve righteousness by our own efforts and standards. However, when we ask God with honesty and sincerity to save us from our sins, He will do it (1 John 1:9). For “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God, (2 Cor. 5:21).  Although Jesus followed His Father’s call, He willingly laid down His life. Why? “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Christ went all out so we could be clothed in a robe of righteousness and have eternal life.

What an awesome privilege to live in a time when Jesus Christ reigns not only as King over sin and death, but also serves as our Mediator and High Priest! God’s mercy toward us is not to be taken lightly. Philippians 2:12 tells us to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling”. In context, this verse is an exhortation to unity, but I think it also refers to being careful in how we live and what we believe. . . . Have a great week!