The Holy Place

Exodus 28 lines out what the priests are to wear when entering God’s presence:

Make linen undergarments as a covering for the body, reaching from the waist to the thigh. Aaron and his sons must wear them whenever they enter the tent of meeting or approach the altar to minister in the Holy Place, so that they will not incur guilt and die.

There were offerings to be made and sins to atone for, back in the Old Testament, before the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus.  And sin had to be punished, and the guilty often died due to sin.  God was holy, and he still is.  And taking his holiness lightly by entering his presence in any way other than how he directed resulted in certain death.

However, even then God made provision for man to enter into His presence, to hear his voice, and to see and experience his power.  It required obedience to His word.

There were no excuses and nothing went unseen or unpunished. 

Fast forward to our present day walk with Christ and what a privilege it is that our guilt has been erased and washed away by the sacrifice – the last living sacrifice – to a holy God.

We don’t have to wear specific coverings when we enter into time with Him.  We are guilt-free and covered already, by His blood.

I want to remind myself that his blood was/is enough for me, even when I pick up those suitcases of guilt and lug them around.  And I want to hand them over to Him, allowing him to open them and empty them, and then toss them aside, as I reach out that same hand that carried the guilt…to now hold His…in the holy place with Him.