The Purple RobeSample

CLOTHES MAKETH THE MAN

Like current branded clothing, designer clothes often separated the chosen from the ordinary in the Bible. When Aaron and his sons were appointed as priests for the new tabernacle, God gave clear instructions on what they should wear (Exodus 28). “The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth - clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the Lord had commanded Moses” (Exodus 39:1, NLT).

I know, detailed instructions for making priestly garments are not the most exhilarating read in the Bible. But we find the purpose of the priests’ specific clothing repeatedly. “Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service” (Exodus 28:3, NLT). God knew that the people needed to see Aaron in a different light to grasp the holy nature of his work. I know I would struggle to trust an ordinary guy in a no-name brand tunic with the task of convincing God to forgive all my terrible deeds! But that was the point; it had to be an ordinary human being.

Aaron’s job was to bridge the gap between people and God. He approached God as a human being and received divine revelation in return. The high priest was the only human person who could bring sacrifices and offerings to God in exchange for forgiveness and blessing (Leviticus 9). Each impurity required tedious work of preparing and offering specific sacrifices. The problem was that there were already new sins to deal with by the time Aaron completed an offering. Until Jesus came.

In the same way a human priest had to approach God in Israel’s time, Jesus had to be human to buy our eternal salvation. “In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9, NLT). Jesus even had to wear a purple robe before He could finally bring the perfect sacrifice! “The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him” (John 19:2, NLT). But what does it mean for us?

What did Jesus do for us by accepting the purple robe on Good Friday? What does it mean for us that He still acts as our High Priest every day?

Over the next few days, we will explore what Jesus, our High Priest, is doing every day until He returns to earth again. I hope this Plan will bring you a new understanding of Him and take you closer into God’s Most Holy presence.