Reflections from March 12, 2011

We read today of how God's children received atonement for their sins starting with the priests themselves. Moses prepared Aaron and his sons for their duties as the chief priests for Israel, and after all the preparation was completed, it states in Leviticus 8:34,
"As he has done this day, so the Lord has commanded to do, to make atonement for you."
The primary requirement was to follow God's commandments explicitly so that in all things, what Aaron and his sons did was to be regarded as holy before God.

Moses then drew all of Israel together at the tabernacle as stated in Leviticus 9:5,
"And all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord."
This is a careful decision made as to where Israel was going to worship the Lord. We should give the same careful consideration as well. Just like the Israelites, God wants us to have a visible, physical reminder that God is among us. He wants us to come and worship Him. He wants us to have access to His life, grace and power. We must be mindful of God's holiness when we do come to worship Him.

Which is why Moses reminded them of that very issue when he said in Leviticus 10:3,
"By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified."
This reminder came after Aaron's sons offered profane fire to God and He immediately killed them for their sin. As leaders to all of Israel, this could not be left unaccounted for. They were an example and being a bad example would not have started this worship by the Israelites in accordance to God's commandments. We are leaders as well in the Christian faith, and what we do, good or bad, is seen by others. Thus we should take seriously our privilege of representing Christ in our daily lives.

God reminds the Israelites after Moses told of God's requirements regarding clean and unclean animals in Leviticus 11:44-45,
"For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy, for I am holy. For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy."
The basis and the goal of all God's ethical requirements is His own holy character. As His followers, we should be holy because we should reflect His character. He is our Father. He has created us. He has chosen us as His own. Therefore, we should be like Him, we should be holy and without blame.

In Psalm 110:1, we are reminded of the high status given to Jesus where it says, "Sit at My right hand, Til I make Your enemies Your footstool."
God has Jesus right next to Him, and has promised that Jesus will rule over all. We can be with Jesus, or we can be His footstool. I choose to be next to Him, worshiping Him.

Blessings to all