Clothed With Christ
Read: Exodus chapter 28
One of the surprising truths in Exodus 28 is that every thread, every color, every stone, and every piece of the high priest's clothing was designed to point beyond Aaron. Aaron was never the destination, Jesus was.
The priest wore garments "for glory and for beauty," but those garments couldn't make him glorious. They could only symbolize what was still to come. Aaron still struggled with sin; He still needed sacrifices for himself, he still needed forgiveness. Jesus is completely different--He didn't wear borrowed glory. He is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). He didn't simply carry God's people on His shoulders and over His heart as a symbol. He carried our sins to the cross. He bore the judgment we deserved so that we could receive the righteousness we could never earn.
That's the beauty of the gospel. The Old Testament priest put on garments that represented holiness. Through faith in Christ, believers are actually clothed with His righteousness--that changes everything! Christianity isn't about putting on a religious costume; it's not about appearing holy while hiding brokenness underneath. God has never been impressed with appearances. God transforms hearts.
When Paul tells believers to, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," he's calling us to live from our new identity (Romans 13:14). Because of Jesus, we no longer strive to earn God's acceptance, we live from the acceptance Christ has already secured for us. As Peter reminds us, we are now, "a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). We represent Christ wherever we go. Our lives should display His holiness, His compassion, His humility, and His love. Not because we're pretending. Because we've been changed.
Take a few minutes and ask yourself:
One of the surprising truths in Exodus 28 is that every thread, every color, every stone, and every piece of the high priest's clothing was designed to point beyond Aaron. Aaron was never the destination, Jesus was.
The priest wore garments "for glory and for beauty," but those garments couldn't make him glorious. They could only symbolize what was still to come. Aaron still struggled with sin; He still needed sacrifices for himself, he still needed forgiveness. Jesus is completely different--He didn't wear borrowed glory. He is "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature" (Hebrews 1:3). He didn't simply carry God's people on His shoulders and over His heart as a symbol. He carried our sins to the cross. He bore the judgment we deserved so that we could receive the righteousness we could never earn.
That's the beauty of the gospel. The Old Testament priest put on garments that represented holiness. Through faith in Christ, believers are actually clothed with His righteousness--that changes everything! Christianity isn't about putting on a religious costume; it's not about appearing holy while hiding brokenness underneath. God has never been impressed with appearances. God transforms hearts.
When Paul tells believers to, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ," he's calling us to live from our new identity (Romans 13:14). Because of Jesus, we no longer strive to earn God's acceptance, we live from the acceptance Christ has already secured for us. As Peter reminds us, we are now, "a royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9). We represent Christ wherever we go. Our lives should display His holiness, His compassion, His humility, and His love. Not because we're pretending. Because we've been changed.
Take a few minutes and ask yourself:
- Is there any area where I'm maintaining a spiritual image instead of pursuing genuine holiness?
- Is there a sin I need to confess?
- Am I relying on my own effort, or am I resting in Christ's finished work?
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