Blood Stains

 

September 1, 2020

For those involved in service and ministry, it’s easy to get so focused on the problems, needs, and sins of others, to the neglect of one’s own. Leviticus 8 tells of the consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests. Beautiful and expensive garments had been custom tailored for them to wear while serving. It was the best of the best—the Armani and Gucci of the day...plus!

During the consecration ceremony, something odd happened. These expensive clothes were deliberately spattered with the blood of the sacrifice, permanently staining them. Any portrayals of the high priest that I’ve ever seen omit what might have been their most notable feature—blood stains, a reminder that they didn’t serve by virtue of their own righteousness.

Every time Aaron donned the holy robes, he would see those bloodstains and know he was entering the presence of a holy God with the evidence of his unworthiness all over him. He would enter, as we should, with fear and trembling, and come out in humble gratitude to have been spared the judgment those bloody garments represented. As Christians, we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, imparted to us through his blood shed on the cross. May we be aware every day of the price paid so we could enter the holy place of prayer.  “Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” —Hebrews 10:22 NIV