Ezekiel chapter 42: verse 14 (NIV – UK)
“Once the priests enter the holy precincts, they are not to go into the outer court until they leave behind the garments in which they minister, for these are holy. They are to put on other clothes before they go near the places that are for the people.”
Romans chapter 13: verses 12-14 (NIV-UK)
The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Today as I read about Ezekiel being shown the new Temple, I noticed the explanation of the rooms for the priests, to change from their holy garments following their time of ministry before the Lord. It took me back to times when people would put on their “Sunday best” to go to church. I must admit that if I’m not on Junior Church or Youth Group, I still like to make an effort if I am getting to enjoy the whole worship service. It’s not for appearances’ sake. It’s because I am going to something special which I know I will enjoy, so I like to dress up a little when I can. Its not the same as in my Grandparents’ day where some people in some church congregations would stay away if they didn’t have “good” clothes to wear on a Sunday. We read in Ezekiel that the priests couldn’t wear their holy garments when they were out and about among the people.
Paul reminds us that as followers of Jesus we need to put on our spiritual armour so that we can live holy lives when we are out and about in our daily lives. We too are called to live differently, and to be able to do so, Paul counselled the Roman church to clothe themselves with Christ. We need to do that so that we will reflect the life of Christ in us, and it should be very much what we do every day. We need to be different from the priests in Ezekiel’s time – we need to wear our spiritual garments all the time, and especially when we are out and about among other people.
Dear Lord,
Thank You that because of the blood of Christ that covers our sins, we can come as priests before the throne of God, but we also need to put on the Armour of God that You have given us so that we can withstand all the schemes of the enemy. Help me also to wear the garments of praise so that It is evident that I am living as a follower of Christ and am not simply living to gratify my own desires. I ask these things in Jesus’ Name. Amen.