Lasting Memorial

"Once a year,

Aaron shall make atonement on its horns.

This annual atonement must be made

with the blood of the atoning sin offering

for generations to come.

It is most holy to the LORD."

Exodus 30:10

". . .we have an advocate with the Father-

Jesus Christ,the Righteous One.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not only for ours

but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 2:1b-2

The lamb was led to the Tabernacle by the sinner.  The man then laid his hands upon the head of the animal, transferring his sin to the little creature.  After the lamb was sacrificed, the blood was drained and the priest dipped his finger in the warm liquid, transferring it to the horns of the altar of burnt offering.  The remaining blood was then poured at the base of the altar.  Finally, the fat was removed from the carcass and burned on top of the food offerings.  Atonement was then complete, his sin forgiven. (Leviticus 4:32-35)

Thankfully, we are no longer required to make such a sacrifice for our sins.  Jesus Christ became the perfect and final sacrifice for our sins, pouring His own blood out at the foot of cross in atonement for the transgressions of all mankind.  Consequently, God is faithful and just, able to forgive us our sins through the atoning sin offering made by Christ. (1 John 1:9)

Even though the detailed instructions God passed on to His people through Moses don't apply to me anymore, there is a truth about my identity in Christ hidden within.

Ransom

The census began for the nation of Israel.  As each adult 20-years-of-age and older was counted, whether rich or poor, he was required to give one-half of a shekel as a ransom paid for his own life.  Every time a census was taken, then, the people who belonged to the Lord remembered that there was a required price to be paid for their own lives. (Exodus 30:11-16)

In the same way, there was a dear price paid for my life.  As a sinner without hope of living in relationship with the One who made me and loves me dearly, there was no price I could pay to make up for my own sin. (Romans 3:23, Romans 8:3) When God, out of His great love for me, sent His only Son as a sacrifice for my sins, His life became the ransom paid in return for my life.  (Hebrews 9:15)

In order to remind myself of the steep price Jesus paid for my life, it is important that I keep my identity as a ransomed sinner in mind.  My life no longer belongs to me to do with as I wish.  Instead, Jesus paid the ultimate price in giving His life in return for mine.  Therefore, willingly placing my life into His hands, letting Him use me as He sees fit is the ultimate memorial of His atoning sacrifice.  (1 Corinthians 6:20, Romans 12:1)

In the same way that the Israelites were required to purchase their own life with a ransom, mine has already been bought and paid for by Jesus.  

Cleansing

The priests were required to wash their hands and feet in the bronze basin before entering the Tent of Meeting.  When they were about to present a food offering, they also were commanded to cleanse themselves in preparation for this important ministry.  Failing to follow this purification ritual would result in death.  (Exodus 30:17-21)

Holiness is important to the Lord.  He is perfect, righteous and just and cannot abide with sin of any kind.  As a symbol of this need for purity, priests who ministered directly before the Lord and acted as a go-between for the people were required to go through a ritual of cleansing. 

In the same way that those who were called into service before the Lord needed cleansing, Jesus has performed that ritual for me in the shedding of His blood on the cross.  He effectively cleansed me from all unrighteousness for all time, making me ready for His use.  (1 John 1:7)  He has taken my guilt and removed it, freeing me up to serve Him as one who is fit for service.  (Isaiah 1:18)  There is nothing I can do to make myself fit, rather, it is what Jesus has already done on the cross that I must accept by faith that does the job.  Once I place my trust in Him to cleanse me, I will be fitted for the purpose for which He created me.  (Ephesians 2:10)

In the same way the priests were required to cleanse before service, I have been prepared in Christ Jesus to do good works.

Anointing

It was a special recipe set aside exclusively for one purpose and one purpose only: to consecrate as holy the items used for sacrifice and temple service as well as the priests who performed the sacred rituals.  This was no ordinary perfume and no matter how much one enjoyed it's scent, this oil was to be set aside as special.  An anointing with this oil transformed an ordinary object into a holy one.  Anything that then touched the sacred would become consecrated.  (Exodus 30:22-33)

Even though I am no longer required to whip up this special recipe of oil, the blood of Jesus has served the same purpose, anointing me for His holy purposes.  (Hebrews 10:10, Colossians 1:22)  There is nothing left for me to do, no effort I can put forth or no further sacrifice needing to be made that will add to what Jesus has already done.  Through faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, I am made right with God and deemed as holy in His eyes. 

Therefore, there is no need for shame over past or present sins, guilt in the face of my own inability to perform, or disappointment that I can't live up to God's perfect standard.  Instead, I have been anointed with the holy oil of Jesus' blood, making me in right standing with Him.  Now I can go forward in confidence, boldly entering into His presence as one who belongs and is dearly loved as His child.  (Hebrews 4:16,1 John 3:1)

In the same way that a special oil made the priests and tools of ministry holy, the blood of Jesus has anointed me with righteousness.  (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Incense

All the fragrant spices; gum resin, onycha, galbanum and frankincense, were to be taken in equal amounts in order to create a special incense.  Once it was ground into powder, it was to be placed before the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, the place where the Lord met with Moses.  It's scent was to be only for the enjoyment of the Lord. (Exodus 30:34-38)

This special incense was never to be used only for human pleasure but was set aside for the Lord.  Even though I've never used incense to bring delight to the Lord, the sacrifice Jesus made is like a sweet-smelling aroma to our Father.  (Ephesians 5:1-2)  As I follow in His footsteps, allowing His love to flow out to others, His aroma becomes mine, drawing those around me to Christ.  (2 Corinthians 2:15)

In the same way Moses was required to make a special incense to burn before the Lord, I emit the aroma of Christ to a world that desperately needs His sweet salvation.

Before Christ, there were many rituals required by God to bring His people into right standing with Him.  As one who benefits from the sacrifice Christ made, I find that He paid a ransom for my life, cleanses me with His blood, anoints me for His purposes and gives off an aroma pleasing to the Lord that draws others to Him.  In these ways, the Old Testament rituals are transformed into meaningful memorials of the sanctifying work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As I begin this day it is my prayer that I can always remember the way Jesus made it possible for me to live in a right relationship with a holy God.

How do I forget how precious is this sacrifice that Jesus has made?

When do I take for granted the salvation that comes through Christ?  

Anointed

"Now it is God who makes both us 

and you stand firm in Christ.

He anointed us,

set his seal of ownership on us,

and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit,

guaranteeing what is to come."

2 Corinthians 1:21-22

I go through walking shoes as if I were a long-distance runner training for a marathon.  Within weeks, a new pair of sneakers will start to break down and soon I'll be wearing through the soles.  In order to try to preserve the integrity of my workout footwear for as long as possible, I set aside one pair only for walking.  I don't wear them to run errands or to work in the garden.  I keep that pair only for that one specific purpose.

This reminds me of how God treats me.  He chose me to belong to Him, and thus, He set me aside for Him.  Since I live in a world that's completely focused on self: promoting myself, pleasing myself, pampering myself, and providing for the needs and wants of myself, I can easily fall into this same self-centered mode of thinking.

In reality, though, God made me for His purposes.  I am here to glorify Him.  As a follower of Christ, I am plucked out of the selfishness of the world's way of thinking and made into a new creation, set apart for Him.  If I'm going to live for Him and truly accept His anointing on my life, I need to understand how He has set me apart as a believer.

Service

In a time of rising unemployment, the hospitality industry is growing at such a rate that it will provide a 17% increase in new jobs between the years of 2004 and 2014.  It seems if I want to find a good, stable job, I need look no further than hotels, theme parks and restaurants.  Serving others is an expanding business.

In God's kingdom, serving others is what I'm made to do.  The Apostle Paul explained it this way to the church at Ephesus.  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."  (Ephesians 2:10)

It's natural for me to look out for myself.  For instance, if I find a great sale on a staple I use often, I will buy up extra so I'll have some on-hand for the months to come.  It doesn't occur to me to share the surplus with others; until God's Spirit lays it on my heart, that is.  God is generous and kind, as David so beautifully declares in Psalm 145:8-9.  "The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made."

If I embrace the anointing God has placed on my life, I will become a servant, looking to the interests of others.  (Philippians 2:4)

Taught

It has been said that a man who represents himself in court has a fool for an attorney.  Yes, it is foolish to neglect counsel and try to depend only upon one's own intelligence and wits.  If I were accused of a crime, I would need all the help I can get.

While it is wise to seek a professional's representation in a court of law, in the classroom of God's kingdom I need no human teacher.  While I can and do learn much from other believers, gifted teachers and anointed pastors, I need not depend on man for my knowledge of God and His kingdom.  John revealed that, "the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you." (1 John 2:27a)

This explains why I can read the scriptures and glean much wisdom from the words while my unbelieving friend doesn't get it.  To her it's dry and dull while to me it's rich and alive with meaning!  Furthermore, if I pay attention, God will teach me things using everyday objects and experiences that are happening all around me.  Just yesterday a friend of mine demonstrated this truth when I showed her how the alignment on our truck was off;  as soon as I let go of the steering wheel it veered off to the right.    Immediately, God showed her that when we line ourselves up with Him, it's possible to stay on His path.  Her anointing taught her a biblical truth. (John 15:5)    

  

John further explained in his first letter that, "you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.  I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth." (1 John 2:20-21)  As a believer who has been set aside by God for Him, I have been given the knowledge of the truth supernaturally.  When I study the Bible, I recognize the truth for what it is: His Word.  I soak it in as a sponge takes up water.  Because of this anointing, I can recognize the truth, and I know when something is false.  This comes from God.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be taught all I need to know by His Spirit.

Authentic

My friend was wearing a delicious fragrance the other day.  When I paid her a compliment, she explained how she bought it from a man who purchases outdated perfume at wholesale prices and sells them at a discounted rate.  She made a point to say it was the real thing, not one of those cheap knock-offs.

Likewise, I am able to maintain a real and authentic relationship with the living God!  It's not fake, based on my own worth, effort, abilities or fitness.  Instead, it is completely built upon the rock of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross.  The only reason I can be in contact with a holy and perfect God is through the cleansing blood of Jesus that makes me white as snow. (Psalm 51:7, John 13:8) 

Moreover, according to 1 John 2:27b, keeping close to God is a part of the teaching I receive from His anointing.  I am reminded that, "just as (God's anointing) has taught you, remain in him."  Because of His hand on my life, I can stay connected to Him and allow His power and love to flow through me. (2 Timothy 1:7)  But the second I go off on my own, seeking my own agenda, obeying my fleshly desires or trying to fix problems in my own strength, that connection is broken and I'm on my own.

God's touch on my life propels me toward Him.  But sometimes I'm afraid, and that doubt blocks His goodness.  Other times I'm hurt and instead of sharing the pain with Him, I try to put up a brave front and carry it myself resulting in a breech of faith.  Many times I rely on my own wits, my own resources or my own common sense instead of depending on Him.  Then I truly see how weak I am and how much I need Jesus.

If I embrace the anointing God placed on my life, I will be inspired to maintain a close relationship with Him.

God's anointing is not for my benefit and blessing.  Instead, His calling on my life results in the creation of a servant's heart, supernatural teaching from God Himself, and the desire to keep close to the Source of all good things.  Once I accept this anointing, I can move forward as a woman who is confident in what God will do in my life.

As I begin this day, it is my prayer that I can embrace the anointing God has already placed on my life as His child.

How do I block His grace by failing to live authentically in relationship with Him?

When do I fall back on my own intelligence instead of letting God impart His wisdom to me?