Exodus 29:44-46
44And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest’s office. 45And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God. 46And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God.
There is a lot of blood associated with God’s presence in the old, old story. In order for God’s people to see His glory on a daily basis, bulls and goats had to be slain and their blood and bodies offered as atonement for the people’s sin. At first glance, the act appears cruel and unnecessary. But an age-old mystery lurks in the shadows.
Life cannot exist without death. A seed must be buried and die in order for there to ever be a harvest. And the same is true in every aspect of life, including personal growth. I must be willing to die to what I think I know in order to live beyond my wildest imagination.
To be set apart, or “sanctified,” always means something alive will cease to exist. And this is why I believe so many of us struggle when it comes to surrender. We know our lives are a mess at best, but it is still an existence with which we are familiar. For the record, dying to self hurts, but living through Christ heals. A set-apart life is worth the price!
Reading through the Bible: January 27, 2012
Exodus 28-29 http://www.blueletterbible.org/reader/daily/generic.cfm
