They were all dressed up. That had some place to go. But without an anointing, they couldn’t even get in the front door . . . literally.

I’m wrapping up Exodus this morning. And the prevailing theme is the creation, the construction, and the commissioning of the tent of meeting — the tabernacle, the place where God’s glory would dwell in the midst of His people.

Each piece of this divinely ordained meeting place architected by God. Moses was the general contractor, making sure it all came together according to spec. The people were the suppliers, moved to generously give of what they had in order to supply the raw materials needed to build the tabernacle. And there were a few good men, raised up of God and with Spirit-infused skill and ability, able to fashion each part of the tabernacle in exact conformance with God’s commanded design.

And within the tent there was to be an elite cohort — a priesthood set apart to enter the scared house and minister but a veil’s width from the most holy of holy spaces. Ministering in this place, the place upon which the glory of God would descend, were Aaron, the high priest, and his sons. And it’s something recorded concerning their entry into the priesthood which struck me this morning. Something which reminded me of our anointing.

“Then you shall bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall wash them with water and put on Aaron the holy garments. And you shall anoint him and consecrate him, that he may serve Me as priest. You shall bring his sons also and put coats on them, and anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may serve Me as priests. And their anointing shall admit them to a perpetual priesthood throughout their generations.”

(Exodus 40:12-15 ESV)

They were to be washed before putting on specially made holy garments. They were to put on the holy garments before serving the LORD. And, most importantly, before serving they were to be consecrated, to be set apart for their spiritual service with a holy anointing. Without the anointing, they could be all dressed and still have no place to go. But with the anointing, they were admitted into a perpetual priesthood.

And I can’t help but see some parallels. I don’t naturally come from a priestly line, but have been adopted as a child of God and thus considered a brother of His Son, the Great High Priest of whom Aaron was but a shadow. And, says His word, coming to Jesus, the Living Stone rejected by men but precious in the sight of His Father, I am made like a living stone too, “being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1Peter 2:5). What’s more, I am part of “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9).

I too have been called to be part of a priesthood. I have been washed by the blood of Christ, cleansed from all sin and stain. I have been given garments — not of my making or based on my merit — but holy garments sourced in the righteousness of the Savior. A robe of righteousness which is all-sufficient for allowing access to the Most Holy Place. And — it overwhelms me even to consider it — I have been consecrated, set apart for this high and holy work, with an anointing. The anointing of the Holy Spirit of God.

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put His seal on us and given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

(2Corinthians 1:21-22 ESV)

Just as the anointing of the priests of the tent of meeting with oil admitted them to their perpetual priesthood, so too, our anointing with Spirit not only seals us and establishes us forever in Christ, but it also qualifies us to be counted among the ranks of those who can come before the holy presence of God in order to minister to Him and for Him. It admits us into what is often referred to as the “priesthood of believers.” A set apart cohort called to offer spiritual sacrifices to our God and to proclaim His excellencies to a lost world.

Who am I to receive such an anointing? What have I done to merit such a position?

Wrong questions. It’s all about who He is, and who He’s called me to be, and what He’s done so that it might be realized.

Praise God for our anointing!

Grace upon grace for those who had no right to even approach the outer courts of God’s dwelling place, but now, have not only been granted access though Christ, but have been consecrated by His blessed Spirit to minister in the holy place.

All for His glory alone.