Today's Reading is Exodus 26-30.
Most of this section covers the fashioning of everything that goes into the tabernacle which God called them to make. It is easy to get lost in the details or to gloss them over, however, this entire place from the garments worn by the priest to the types of sacrifices are a picture of Jesus. Today I want to look at one small detail. Exodus 28:29.
"Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD."
God ordained that the high priest was to carry the names of the children of Israel over his heart. This I see not just as a ceremonial duty, but a spiritual duty. The priest supposed to bridge the gap between the people and God. This duty can only be carried out without abuse if the people are loved by the priest, (the people are on their heart). History is full of the abuses of spiritual leaders, love, I believe, is what keeps a leader from being abusive
When we come to the New Testament, Jesus shows his love for the people time after time. He the scripture said had compassion on them, he loved, he wept over them and ultimately, he showed his love by laying down his life for them.
What does this have to do with us? We are called to be like Christ and thus carry the people not just of Israel but the world on our hearts before God. To put it another way, we are called to love.
No comments:
Post a Comment