February 8, 2024 - A Weighty Honor

Exodus 28:1-43

Matthew 25:31-26:13

Psalm 31:9-18

Proverbs 8:12-13

One Year Bible Audio & Daily Reading (oneyearbibleonline.com)

Exodus 28:29 “In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. 30 Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord.

As I am reading all the specifics of the priestly garment especially for Aaron the high priest I am imagining the weight of it all. These garments would be so heavy to wear. Then I read "This will be a continual reminder...". Again, I see the importance of the heart and mind being right not just performing the actions. All this expensive ornate work put into the garments were not just for show. All the rules, requirements and ceremony were not just for formality. It was to help specifically the priests and I would think also the people to remember and take to heart the weight and value of the responsibility of the priests. The expense of the garment reminded of the value of the work of the priests which deserves honor and respect. And the weight of the garments reminded of the weight/gravity of the responsibility of the priest.

I found this which supports my direction of thought today. The Hebrew word for heavy or weight is kaved. The Hebrew word for honor or respect is kavod. Yes, they’re related. They share the same root letters, and in Hebrew, that means they’re definitely related.

Exodus 28:3 These must be worn whenever Aaron and his sons enter the Tabernacle or approach the altar in the Holy Place to perform their priestly duties. Then they will not incur guilt and die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and all his descendants after him.

They were to ceremonially wear these garments while thinking about and taking to heart the enormous responsibility and obligation they have. I kind of see this as them needing to make a choice and to get their hearts right to put on a garment of salvation before entering the presence of God. Because without them they would not be able to live. Our sin separates us from God and it was no different for them ("Then they will not incur guilt and die"). But they were the ones responsible for making the animal sacrifice for the people so that their sins would be forgiven so God provided a covering for them that allowed them to come into His presence to be able to make those sacrifices.

Isn't it wonderful that God provided us with a garment of salvation that we are covered with when we make the choice in our heart and mind to receive it and put it on by trusting our lives to the ultimate High Priest.

Matthew 26:6 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head.

Matthew 26:12 She has poured this perfume on me to prepare my body for burial.

Here we see a valuable perfume being poured on Jesus head. Today I see this as the High Priest covered in expensive adornment because the value of what He is about to do is greater than anything we can own. May it be a reminder to us of the greatness of the sacrificial gift that He is giving us. A value that deserves honor and respect.

Jesus is our High Priest. When He came He took on all the weight of our sin. He physically carried that weight when He carried the cross. The sacrifice He makes for us is greater than any animal sacrifice because He not only is the High Priest who intercedes for us with the Father, He is the perfect, sinless sacrifice. When His blood is shed He Himself becomes our garment of salvation that allows us to come into the presence of God. May we never forget the weight and value of that sacrifice.

“In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place."

Jesus carries the scars of crucifixion over his heart like a chestpiece and on His hands and feet as a statement of the names of all those who put their trust in Him so that we can now enter the presence of God without a human priest because when the Father looks at us, He sees the Son.

Matthew 25:34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

If we can always keep in mind the value and the weight of what Jesus has done for us it should encourage us to want to please Him and live as He would have us live. If we do it will change our heart to be willing to sacrifice our time, interests, possessions and comforts for others in the body of Christ.

Matthew 25:40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

If we were to try to pay Him back for the value of His sacrifice we could never pay enough but when we care for others it is the same as doing for Him what little we can. It also is a sign of our salvation because when we put on the garment of salvation offered by Him it changes us in ways that are evident to others. It is also evident to God when Jesus returns as we are ushered into the Kingdom of God and His presence for eternity.

Thank you Jesus!