SCRIPTURE: Leviticus 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
1. Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.’ [John 20:21-23] This ceremony of ordination, setting aside Aaron and his sons for the priestly task, is an anticipation of what Jesus does here. He ordains His followers with the Holy Spirit to enable them to be agents (priests) of forgiveness in the world.
2. Seems like overkill, a whole week ceremony? And more blood? Blood on the earlobes, thumbs and toes? Oil and bread, sacrifices for the altars and utensils. Its as if God is saying, ‘this is a HUGE deal, take it seriously!!!’ This is exactly what He is saying. Otherwise His servants tend to forget. Have we not forgotten what a HUGE deal it is for us as Jesus-followers to spread the message o grace and forgiveness? Are we fulfilling our assignment?
3. This ceremony was intended to show the community that no one was better than others, even the priests needed their sins covered.
4. The sprinkled blood on the ear lobes, thumbs and toes was a symbolic way of saying their whole body was covered by the scapegoat, from head to toe and everything in between. The punishment they deserve for any and all failure is taken care of, God sees them as already punished and forgiven. They are now considered holy (sinless), not because they do not sit, but because their sin is taken care of.
5. My sins have been covered. I am forgiven, God does not hold my guilt and failure against me. The punishment I deserve has been taken care of by Jesus in my place. The Holy Spirit (symbolized by anointing oil) is on me, in me, and is working through me. I am God’s servant, God’s messenger, God’s priest.
6. Today I am going to anoint my earlobe, my thumb and my toe in olive oil. May sound weird, but it’s a way to symbolically remind myself that I am also cleansed (forgiven) and called to represent the Lord to the world.
PRAYER:
Lord, You have died in my place. I am forgiven and free. Now You ask me to share this message with others. Anoint me with Your Spirit!
There is the resounding refrain, Moses did just as God commanded him. Following the word of the Lord is the main ingredient – do this and live! Even the priests needed to be made holy for their tasks which the Lord had set them apart. The sacrifices had made them clean as the sacrifices for the people would make them clean as would Christ’s sacrifice make me clean. As they were anointed so God’s people today are annoited by His Spirit to be able to be living witnesses for Him and to walk in His way.
Help me Lord this day to serve you and may I be a living letter read by all those around me. As all the people were a witness to the consecration of the priests, so I too need to be a living witness this day.
Be a ray of sunshine everywhere you go,
Shining for the Savior with a steady glow;
Bringing smiles to sad ones, wiping tears away,
Make yourself a blessing every passing day.
Refrain
Be a ray of sunshine everywhere you go,
Shining for the Savior with a steady glow;
Be a ray of sunshine filled with Heaven’s light,
Sending forth a message beautiful and bright.
Be a ray of sunshine everywhere you go;
Comfort bring to others, stoop to raise the low;
Kind words cost but little, smiles bring pleasures, too;
They may lift a burden; let them not be few.
Refrain
Be a ray of sunshine everywhere you go;
Cheerfulness is needed, this you can bestow;
Help to chase the shadows from this world away,
Bringing joy and gladness like a shining ray.
Refrain
Be a ray of sunshine everywhere you go;
Stars will shine the brighter in your crown, I know;
Sunshine brought to others will reflect on you,
Heav’n will be the sweeter—keep the end in view.
Refrain