SCRIPTURE
Exodus 28:29-38 (NRSV)
Aaron prays for the people
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, for a continual remembrance before the Lord. 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 Israelites on his heart before the Lord continually.
You shall make the robe of the ephod all of blue. It shall have an opening for the head in the middle of it, with a woven binding around the opening, like the opening in a coat of mail, so that it may not be torn. On its lower hem you shall make pomegranates of blue, purple, and crimson yarns, all around the lower hem, with bells of gold between them all around - a golden bell and a pomegranate alternating all around the lower hem of the robe. Aaron shall wear it when he ministers, and its sound shall be heard when he goes into the holy place before the Lord, and when he comes out, so that he may not die.
You shall make a rosette of pure gold, and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, "Holy to the Lord." You shall fasten it on the turban with a blue cord; it shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall take on himself any guilt incurred in the holy offering that the Israelites consecrate as their sacred donations; it shall always be on his forehead, in order that they may find favor before the Lord.
DEVOTION
Today’s Bible passage talks about a man named Aaron. He was the brother of Moses and the priest of Israel. His job was a very serious one, for he went before God on behalf of the people. He offered their prayers, sacrifices, and penance to Almighty God.
You may be surprised at the many details that went into offering appropriate worship to God and ministry to the children of Israel! From carvings on the breastpiece, to the colors of his priestly garments, to the turban on his head and the golden bells on the hem of his robe, Aaron’s body, mind, spirit, attire, and ministry had to be perfect in order to find favor with God!
Aaron prayed for, and interceded on, behalf of his people. He continually went before God to lift up their concerns, seek God’s wisdom or aid, and to request God’s forgiveness whenever they sinned. Aaron’s job was an awesome work and I, for one, cannot imagine the physical, mental, and spiritual toll that such a ministry would take on a human being.
I don’t know about you, but I am so glad that we now have a great high priest who is able to bear the burden of our sin and our need for grace. Hebrews 4:14 states, “We have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.”
Wow! Jesus is our high priest and his ministry is absolutely perfect! Jesus is eternal, so he never grows tired, weary, or dead. Jesus is sinless, so he is in the perfect position to petition God for the forgiveness of our sin. And Jesus is unblemished, which is why he was able to offer himself upon the cross as a blood offering for the atonement of sin.
Jesus’ sacrifice will never need to be repeated! It was a once and for all time sacrifice sufficient to reconcile our relationship with God, save us from our sin, and gift us with eternal life!
I am so glad that Jesus is willing to be our high priest forever! Now, we can go to church and worship “just as we are.” We can pour out our hearts in worship, praise, prayer, and repentance and know that God hears and answers our prayers.
Listen! My mother, father, sister, brother, husband, and pastor have prayed for me! But, I am so happy-glad in my heart, that Jesus also prays for me! As Jesus intercedes for us we are set free to live life and that more abundantly!
Hallelujah! Jesus is so awesome and worthy of our praise!
Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!
Holy God, thank you for Jesus who is our great high priest forever! Thank you that Jesus is perfect in every way and offered to you an acceptable sacrifice for my sin. I am sorry that I have sinned; please forgive me and fill me with your Holy Spirit. I want to share the GOOD NEWS that Jesus died and rose again becoming our high priest forever! I love you and I want to share your love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
A Memorial Day Prayer--
Holy God, your love is stronger than death, and your life-giving power has no end. We commend to your eternal care all who have died in the service of others, even as we lament the violence of war. Comfort and sustain all those who mourn. Heal the wounded body, mind and spirit. Bring justice, freedom, and dignity to all people and bring an end to war throughout the earth so that all may know your promised peace; through Christ, the resurrection and the life. — The Rev. David Gambrell, Associate for Worship, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
If you would like to put all of your hope in Jesus today, please visit my blog entitled, “Putting All Your Hope In Jesus” located at
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/putting-all-your-hope-in-jesus.html
If you have additional questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, "Come to Jesus"
http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html
Pastor Yolanda is now publishing another blog entitled, “A Spoken WORD” in celebration of Holy Hip Hop, Gospel/Christian Rap and Spoken Word. Please check it out @ http://aspokenword.blogspot.com/
You are invited to follow Pastor Yolanda on Twitter www.twitter.com/PastorYolanda
Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry. http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews
You are invited to leave comments or questions regarding today’s devotional. These comments are public.
EACH ONE--REACH ONE! To share GOOD NEWS with a friend please click the "Share With Friends" button to the right!
Thanks for reading and please come again. Pastor Yolanda extends a very special welcome to all of our friends reading outside of the United States of America! We are honored that you are sharing with us today.
From Pastor Yolanda's blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment