Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 29 before reading the devotional below.
Serving God isn’t an easy task. Ministry is hard sometimes, and the Israelites priests were set aside for a really tough job. Every Jesus-follower has a role to play in God’s work, but revolving your whole life around ministering to God’s people is a different kind of life.
In today’s chapter, God gives Moses instructions for a ceremonial consecration for Aaron and his sons. Aaron, Moses’ brother, has a special assignment as the head priest. He must set the standard for following God’s laws and keeping holy things holy. Throughout the history of Israel, there will be priests who do not do this job well and the consequences are grave. The consecration of the priests in this moment is for their protection.
Here’s your freedom for today: you can live a different kind of life. Since we no longer need priests to mediate between us and God, we are set apart and made holy by giving our lives to Jesus. That means that your life is different when you follow Jesus — you won’t look like the world around you anymore. As Christians, we all have the task of inviting people into God’s family. You may be someone’s only connection to knowing Jesus. Some, like Aaron, are called to devote their whole lives to serving God’s people. No matter your calling, your life isn’t the same as God refines you and sets you apart for his purposes.