And Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing that the LORD has commanded to be done.” And Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water.
Leviticus 8:5-6
Jesus, as I look at Moses bringing Aaron and his sons and washing them in front of everyone, the master doing what a servant does to their master, I must confess my mind is blown! The man who spoke face-to-face with God (Exodus 33:11), who required his face to be covered on account of the divine glow that radiated from his visage from being in Your presence (Exodus 33:29-35), the one who pleaded with You on behalf of the calf-making idolaters (Exodus 33:12-17), is now standing before everyone, in the sight of all, and is washing and robing those who would be charged with making petition on their behalf!
Lord, here Moses foreshadows Your humility. My mind immediately goes to You, the Master cleaning Your servants. John 13 jumps into my head where You cleaned Your disciples’ feet. The humility of the moment was not lost on Peter. And this morning it is not lost on me! Your cleansing power is more than I can ever fully comprehend on this side of eternity!
As I meditate on its effectiveness a few things come immediately to my mind:
- By Your cleansing You renewed me in the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
- By Your cleansing You have washed away my sin and unrighteousness (1 John 1:7,9)
- By You cleansing You have purified my conscience (Hebrews 9:14)
- By Your cleansing You are sanctifying me (Ephesians 5:26)
Yet, because of the commonness of the story, I confess I can often miss the magnitude of its significance. Please forgive me! Today, I rush into Your presence and hold fast to Your feet in heartfelt worship and gratitude. I thank You for this awe-inspiring, unmerited favor that is mine because of Your willingness to wash me! I exclaim as Peter did, “Not just my feet but all of me!” Wash me, Lord, and I shall be whiter than snow to Your glory! Amen!