| Consecration of the Common
"For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it; then the altar shall be most holy, and whatever touches the altar shall be holy."
Exodus 29:37
"For we are the temple of the living God..."
2 Corinthians 6:16
Such incredible care was taken in the preparation, ordination and consecration of Aaron, his sons, and the altar for their use in the sacrificial ministry. These processes included washing procedures, proper clothes, the acceptable characteristics of the animals used, and how each of the animal's inner parts were to be offered. These procedures and processes had to be followed perfectly when ministering in the tent of meeting. Once consecrated, the altar was most holy. Anything used in connection with the altar, whatever touched the altar, was holy and consecrated for use only on the altar. Consecrated holy things must not be used in common ways. They must be handled with reverence and care. The knife used to cut apart the ram must not be used to prepare a meal. The knife of the altar may only be used at the altar. Treating holy things as common or despising the procedures given for the altar were met with swift judgment without mercy--as Aaron’s sons discovered.
That was then. But what now--what of myself under the new and better covenant which has now been established through the superior sacrifice of Christ Himself, made once for all by His own blood? By Christ's blood I have been made holy. Just as the implements of the altar were, I have been set apart for Christ alone--no longer given for common use. So by what process, by which procedures am I to keep myself for use only at the altar of Christ, and not defile myself by common use?
For Aaron it was clear what he was to do, and not to do. Implements used in the sacrifices were left with the altar. He did not tuck the sacrificial knife into his belt and pull it out later to cut into a roast. I, however, have no physical altar to respect. Rather, by the Holy Spirit my whole heart, even my entire body has been made the altar, and the offering includes every facet of my life--not just my religious activities. Yet maintaining holiness, separateness, and devotion to the Lord is no less necessary now than it was then. Respecting the holiness of God and upholding the sanctification of His possessions (in this case myself) is no less sobering then it was for Aaron. However, a new way of being holy, being separate, and being devoted is required.
For example, if I attempt to be holy by trying to define which things may be handled and which things may not, or which things may be eaten and which things may not, or which activities may be participated in and which may not I will surely miss the way of holiness in Christ. No doubt pursuing holiness does often include such decisions and restrictions but it does not consist in them. A massive change takes place in the new covenant. The Holy Spirit changed me from sinner to set apart one (saint). But this does not mean that I have suddenly become segregated from a list of common things. Rather, by this inward change, all outward things changed too. Not only have I been made new, but all things, to me, have been made new as well. What I once may have considered common--eating and drinking, working, hanging out with friends, reading, entertainment--all these things have been made new to me in Christ. In all things I am engaged in spiritual, holy work as unto the Lord. When I am with friends, I am an emissary, an ambassador of Christ. When I eat, I am delighting in God's good care. When I sleep, I rest in Christ. There is nothing common for the Christian. All is made holy and I am called to glorify Christ in all. I must rid myself of illusionary distinctions and false dichotomies. There is no activity under the sun that has not been appointed for me as a holy activity, a ministry at the altar, an offering made out from the overflowing grace of God.
Lord, forgive me when I consider my days mundane. There is no day, no activity, no toil, and no task exempt from the spiritual service of worship you’ve called me to in Christ. All are ordained by your hand and I am bound to honor you in and delight myself in all things for your sake. Help me to be holy, to treat all things with reverence and awe because all things are made by your hand and exist for your great glory. Amen.
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