So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment on his heart, when he goes into the Holy Place, to bring them to regular remembrance before the LORD. And in the breastpiece of judgment you shall put the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be on Aaron’s heart, when he goes in before the LORD. Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel on his heart before the LORD regularly.
Exodus 28:29-30
Father God, today as I reflect on the details of the breastpiece of judgement, my mind immediately goes to the fact that all the names of the 12 Tribes of Israel were on it, the weight of the breastpiece itself, and the fact that You specifically said that it was on his heart. The symbolism in this is not lost on me. Aaron, every time he went into Your presence carried the weight of the sin of the people of God with him. And he could actually feel it, was reminded of it every time he walked into Your presence by the weight of this precious jewel and gold saturated vestment. And You declared that he bore the judgment of the people on his heart before You. It is not lost on me that this points towards my Savior Who did the same, carrying not just the weight of the Children of Israel, but the weight of the world!
I thank You for Jesus, Whom You sent, the Great High Priest of Heaven. I thank You for the precious sacrifice He made on my behalf and on behalf of the world, taking upon Himself the weight of this world. I pray today that as I follow in His glorious footsteps that I would be used in some form or fashion to bring into Your presence and His those whom You place on my shoulders, making petition for them, seeking Your relief in their lives. Even as Christ today intercedes for me, I intercede for them, asking that You would leave Your fingerprints on their situations and circumstances, reminding them that there is all they stand in the need of at the foot of Your throne.
Thank You for the grace and mercy that is mine in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on my behalf. Continue to give my soul the peace that passes all understanding as I come into Your presence, carrying the burdens of this broken world, casting my cares upon Him because He indeed cares for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.