Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.
Exodus 28:36-38 (NIV)
Father God, I so love to quote that all of my righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). When I do so I confess it makes me feel like I am being humble before You, declaring my acceptance and understanding that my very best is not good enough. Yet, I must confess this morning that this is sometimes not true. Not the part about my good deeds are neither good nor acceptable. The part about me believing that this is the case. There is a part of me that sort of, kind of believes that I am or can be a pretty good person. I in a pharisaical way look at others and think, “I am not like them (Luke 18:11).”
As I meditate on this image that is being painted of Aaron bringing the consecrated and sacred offerings of the Israelites to You, emblazoned with gold on his forehead “HOLY TO THE LORD,” I realize the fact that it is implied by this text is that those gifts, no matter how perfect and flawless they may be by our standards are still not acceptable by Yours. They are tainted with and require someone to present them to You who himself is not tainted. And Your text tells me in Exodus 29 that even Aaron and the other priests needed to be consecrated regularly to be able to do so, and this only satisfied the requirement temporarily until the Great High Priest would come and do for us what no human could ever do.
Today I come thanking You for the sacrifice of my Savior, Jesus, Your Son. I thank You for preparing in Him what I could not obtain through my own efforts. He not only bore my guilt as the sacrifice presented before You, He presented it to You, untainted, unstained by sin, holy and acceptable. What I could not do through works of righteousness He secured by His shed blood. Because of Him I am and shall always be in right relationship with You! Hallelujah!
So today, I present my body to You, a living a sacrifice, made holy and acceptable by what my Lord has done for me. Use me as You see fit, Your servant and vessel of righteousness, to touch the lives of those who come into contact with me and to proclaim Your goodness, mercy and love to a broken world.
Lord Jesus, give me eyes to see the world as You do, seeing folks like You do, helpless and harassed like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Compel me to connect with them even as You have connected with me, and to lead them to the wellspring of life flowing at the foot of Your throne. My life is Yours, Master. Through Your Holy Spirit continue to transform me, making my life more pleasing to You for “What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD (Psalm 116:12-13).” Glory to Your Name! Amen!