"I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
Exodus 30:22-25: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels, and of sweet-smelling cinnamon half as much, that is, 250, and 250 of aromatic cane, and 500 of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. And you shall make of these a sacred anointing oil blended as by the perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil.'"
There is a plan and purpose for every instruction the Lord gives to his people. Throughout Scripture, there are many passages that speak to the specific design for the tabernacle, for the garments of the priests, for the ordination of the priests, for the sacrifices to be offered, and when they are to be offered. There is great detail provided for every piece of furniture within the tabernacle, for the curtains, the colors, and even the covering of the tabernacles. Details are not lost upon the Lord! Now, we read about the specific formula they were to follow in making the anointing oil. It was to be followed exactly, and it was to be used exactly as God described: to anoint the tent of meeting and the articles within the tent and in the outer courtyard. Aaron and his sons were also to be anointed as the ones who were set apart to serve the Lord as priests. The oil was not to be used for any other purpose or on any other person. The recipe for the oil was not to be replicated by any other. It was a holy, anointing oil to be used for the Lord's purposes alone.
Once again, there is the theme of holiness. God's holiness permeates throughout the pages of Scripture and is especially clear throughout the book of Exodus. As God's holy people, people who were set apart from the other peoples and nations, Israel was to obey God's commands and to follow each of his instructions. In doing so, they would also become holy as God is holy. Breaking his commands concerning this anointing oil would result in one being cut off from his people (Exodus 30:33).
God's laws are still to be followed. We serve a holy God who calls us to approach him with humility, awe, and worship. Like the nation of Israel, we also have to be cleansed of our sins to have fellowship with the Father. Jesus tells his followers: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is only one way to the Father, and it is through Jesus Christ his Son; it is through the cross of Christ and his blood that covers our sin. There is no other way!
We live in dangerous times. People do not like absolute truth. We hear things like, "That may be your truth, but my truth is very different;" "That may be your understanding of God, but my god does not do that." Jesus speaks directly to these lies - he is the only way, and his truth is the only truth. There is no plan B with Jesus. It is so important that we hold to his truth and that we seek to follow his plans and his way. There is no compromise when it comes to approaching the Father. It must be through his Son!
God had a plan for the anointing oil; it was to be made just as he said. God also has a plan for how we are to live holy lives before him. We learn these plans as we read his Word. May we "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" that Word (Book of Common Prayer, Second Sunday in Advent).
Reflection:
How do you see God's truth being compromised in the world today? How can you become bolder to stand on the truth of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life and to profess that truth to others?
There is a plan and purpose for every instruction the Lord gives to his people. Throughout Scripture, there are many passages that speak to the specific design for the tabernacle, for the garments of the priests, for the ordination of the priests, for the sacrifices to be offered, and when they are to be offered. There is great detail provided for every piece of furniture within the tabernacle, for the curtains, the colors, and even the covering of the tabernacles. Details are not lost upon the Lord! Now, we read about the specific formula they were to follow in making the anointing oil. It was to be followed exactly, and it was to be used exactly as God described: to anoint the tent of meeting and the articles within the tent and in the outer courtyard. Aaron and his sons were also to be anointed as the ones who were set apart to serve the Lord as priests. The oil was not to be used for any other purpose or on any other person. The recipe for the oil was not to be replicated by any other. It was a holy, anointing oil to be used for the Lord's purposes alone.
Once again, there is the theme of holiness. God's holiness permeates throughout the pages of Scripture and is especially clear throughout the book of Exodus. As God's holy people, people who were set apart from the other peoples and nations, Israel was to obey God's commands and to follow each of his instructions. In doing so, they would also become holy as God is holy. Breaking his commands concerning this anointing oil would result in one being cut off from his people (Exodus 30:33).
God's laws are still to be followed. We serve a holy God who calls us to approach him with humility, awe, and worship. Like the nation of Israel, we also have to be cleansed of our sins to have fellowship with the Father. Jesus tells his followers: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). There is only one way to the Father, and it is through Jesus Christ his Son; it is through the cross of Christ and his blood that covers our sin. There is no other way!
We live in dangerous times. People do not like absolute truth. We hear things like, "That may be your truth, but my truth is very different;" "That may be your understanding of God, but my god does not do that." Jesus speaks directly to these lies - he is the only way, and his truth is the only truth. There is no plan B with Jesus. It is so important that we hold to his truth and that we seek to follow his plans and his way. There is no compromise when it comes to approaching the Father. It must be through his Son!
God had a plan for the anointing oil; it was to be made just as he said. God also has a plan for how we are to live holy lives before him. We learn these plans as we read his Word. May we "read, mark, learn and inwardly digest" that Word (Book of Common Prayer, Second Sunday in Advent).
Reflection:
How do you see God's truth being compromised in the world today? How can you become bolder to stand on the truth of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life and to profess that truth to others?
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