Washing us Clean.
“When they go into the tent of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn a food offering to the LORD, they shall wash with water, so that they may not die. They shall wash their hands and their feet, so that they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his offspring throughout their generations.” - Exodus 30:20-21 ESV
Having entered the courtyard from the east, and having passed by the roaring fire on the bronze altar, worshippers coming to the Tabernacle would then encounter the bronze basin of washing. The bronze used in making the large basin came from numerous highly polished luxury mirrors donated by the women of Israel.
We’ve already seen how the experience of entering the Tabernacle courtyard symbolised the spiritual journey back to God, and how the fire on the altar graphical drew attention to the need for confession of sin, and repentance, to the Holy God. In the same way, the presence of the basin between the altar and the entrance to the Holy Place, symbolises the need for continual washing, the perpetual cleansing from our sin. The priests were commanded to wash their hands and feet before they undertook every one of their ministry duties.
Washing was a continual process, and as we read in our Scripture, it was necessary to keep the priests alive. God’s Holy presence would have consumed any priest who did not take the necessary steps of purification during their service. This symbolic image of being washed clean by water is powerfully emphasised by our Lord Jesus on the night of His betrayal. He dressed Himself like a servant and washed His disciples feet, telling them that unless He washed their feet, they could have no part with Him. Peter then asked for his whole body to be washed - to which Jesus relied “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you. (John 13:10)”.
Jesus teaches that we are forgiven and saved when we repent and believe, we are cleansed from all our sins, (like one who has bathed) and this is symbolised by the believer’s baptism. This must happen or we can not be in relationship with God, but we must also have our feet washed continually by our Lord Jesus, or we can have no part with Him. In other words we need continual cleansing to stay in relationship with God.
Prayer
Dear Father God Almighty, we praise You because You are Holy and pure, and because You are merciful and kind. Thank You for making a way for us to be washed clean from our sins, and for the way that You can keep us clean. Please help us to continually draw near to You confessing our sin and trusting You to forgive us. Thank You, that You made us to be in relationship with You, and that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, You made it possible for us, in spite of our wandering sinful natures, to stay in that amazing relationship with You. Father we desire to draw nearer and nearer to You in this time, just like the worshippers entering the Tabernacle courtyard. Please help us in our weakness to approach Your awesome throne of grace. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Worship
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt? Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way, For my ever wandering heart?
Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are.
I am a flower quickly fading: Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean, A vapor in the wind.
Still You hear me when I'm calling. Lord, You catch me when I'm falling.
And You've told me who I am. I am Yours, I am Yours.
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin, Would look on me with love and watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea, Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?
Not because of who I am, But because of what You've done.
Not because of what I've done, But because of who You are.
If you’re like most of us, you’re probably washing your hands more often than you have in quite a while. The threat of Corona Virus has brought to mind the need to continually wash and disinfect. As you do that today, take some time to think about how we need to continually be cleansed of thoughts and actions that contaminate us as we go through our day of serving the Lord.