Today’s Post By: Rae Lynn DeAngelis
“‘Do not come any closer,’ God said. ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.’” (Exodus 3:5)
Do we truly grasp the greatness and holiness of God?
James McDonald’s Gripped by the Greatness of God study has given me fresh perspective concerning the reverence God deserves, and I now have a greater respect for His holiness.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s holiness is emphasized as a common theme. The people of that day understood the magnitude of what God expected in relation to Him.
Inside the Holy of Holies (or Most Holy Place) of the temple was where the Shekinah glory (God’s divine presence) dwelled. It was a place so sacred that it could only be entered once a year by the High Priest, and only on the Day of Atonement. It was during this appointed time that the high priest would enter the hallowed space of the temple to intercede on behalf of the people and seek God’s forgiveness for their sins.
Although this was a great honor, the job came with some serious risks if the High Priest entered the presence of God without respect. The Lord gave very specific instructions for entering the Most Holy Place, and if the instructions were not followed to the letter, the High Priest could be struck dead on the spot. Reverence was of the utmost importance. As a precautionary measure, a rope of bells was attached to the priest’s ankle before entering the sacred space. In this way, if the priest was struck down by God, the other priests were able to safely retrieve the body without meeting a similar end.
The same day that Jesus was crucified on the hill called Golgotha, the temple curtain was torn in two and God no longer separated Himself from the common man. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, our bodies are now God’s dwelling place, and Jesus is our High Priest. Christ intercedes on our behalf and makes it possible for us to go directly before God—our Father in heaven.
“Such a high priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.” (Hebrews 7:26)
Although Jesus made this possible when He gave His life as a final sacrifice on the cross, we still need to remember that God is God, and He deserves our utmost respect and reverence.
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts. The whole earth is full of His glory.” (Isaiah 6:3)
“There is no one holy like the LORD; here is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.” (1 Samuel 2:2)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1)
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Remember who God is. Remember what Jesus did. And never take God’s holiness for granted.