The Tabernacle Sl Again, the Holy Spirit, writing to the Hebrew Christians concerning the risen Lord, said in Heb. 2: 11, "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanc- tified are all of one (i.e., God): for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren." Now it is beyond controversy that our Lord knew no sin, and that His own sanctification implied His being set apart, consecrated to His Great High Priestly work, which began with His death. And it is equally beyond contro- versy that we, believer-priests, ever need to remember that "Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word" (Eph. 5:25, 26). We were washed "once for all" by the blood of His cross for cleansing from the penalty of sin; but we need daily, hourly washing by the Word of God for deliverance from the defilement of sin in our pilgrim walk. "Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?" the Psalmist asked many centuries ago; and the Holy Spirit's answer came back, "By taking heed thereto according to thy word" (Psalm 119:9). And again we are reminded of Christ's prayer, which we have just quoted, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17: 17). After Moses had washed Aaron and his sons at the door of the tabernacle, Aaron was :first clothed in the costly garments "for glory and for beauty," which spoke elo- quently of the glories of Christ. As we have already seen, Aaron's sons were also clothed in white linen garments, foreshadowing the "robe of righteousness" which Christ imparts to His redeemed. Aaron, clothed in his beautiful garments, was the :first to be anointed with the holy oil-
S6 The Tabernacle we shall see one day in all His uncreated glory. That alone will make heaven heaven! But, wonder of wonders, we shall share His glory; as believer-priests, His bride, we shall reign with Him and be like Him for all the unending ages! "What a wonderful Saviour!" The Consecration of the Priests In our lesson today we have tried to show that Aaron, as the high priest in Israel, represented the Lord Jesus Christ; and that Aaron and his sons represented Christ and His church. Nowhere is the union of our Great High Priest and His believer-priests more clearly set forth than in the consecration of Aaron and his sons to the priestly office. They were brought to the door of the tabernacle, God's dwelling place among His people; and there they were separated, set apart, for their sacred duties. Likewise, our Lord, the separated One, has chosen us in Him to a spiritual priesthood that is glorious. Before He went to the cross, He said to His eleven disciples who loved Hirn, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. •.. I have chosen you out of the world" (John 15: 16, 19). First of all, Moses washed Aaron and his sons with water; and water in the Scriptures is a symbol of the Word of God. Their being washed together speaks to us of the union of Christ and the church in sanctification-separa- tion unto God. Christ Himself said to His Father, in His Great High Priestly prayer for His own: "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sues I sanctify myself, that they also might be sancti- fied through the truth" (John 17:17-19).
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