February 9 - The Consecration Contrast

Ex 29:1-30:10
Mt 26:14-46
Ps 31:19-24
Pro 8: 14-26

Whenever I wonder why Apple is so successful, I remind myself of how
they have taken what were complicated processes and made them simple.
Does anyone remember how frustrating it was loading Windows? Or
trying to set up networks, or connecting printers? We bought our
first Mac 6 years ago, and I was shocked - shocked, I tell you! - by
how easily, how smoothly, and how correctly I was able to set it up.
In my experience, the same thing is true for the iPod, and the iPhone,
and for pretty much every product they've produced. Simple is good.

Which is why redemption 2.0, under our Lord, is so great. Reading
what it took to ordain Aaron and his sons, in what was the first step
towards redemption for sins, I cannot help but wonder how long it took
them to even write down the instructions (no iMacs then!), much less
weave the cloak, inscribe the stones, construct the ephod, then find
the animals and bake the bread. Consider - they even had to wash them
down with water - which, before the advent of running water meant
drawing it from a well - a well which a nomadic people might very well
have had to dig for the purpose. And even then, you were not assured
of salvation - there were all these rules, and one false move...we get
the picture.

Consider then, in contrast, how much simpler it was with our Lord. He
was the sacrifice, the consecration did not require the gathering of
animals and the wiping and pouring of their blood - He gave Himself as
the sacrifice, once for all. And all He asks is for us to partake -
"Take and eat...". He asks us to choose Him - and He then pretty much
takes care of the rest of it. We can step away from the loom and put
down the lapis lazuli.

If that were all, that would already be incomprehensibly amazing.
However, in the eternal words of the late night infomercial, "But
wait! There's more!". Whereas, in the time of Aaron, one wrong step
meant condemnation and death (see: Moses, striking the rock, twice,
Promised Land), here we see premeditated forgiveness (see: Peter,
denial, 3 times, prediction).

Wow. So not only does our Lord take on the burden of salvation and
reconciliation to God our Father, His forgiveness is premeditated,
available to us for all of our sins - even the one's we have yet to
commit. Truly "how abundant are the good things that You have tired
up for those who fear You". And all He asks is that we "love the
Lord, all His faithful people.". All He asks is that we partake of His
body.

It does not get any simpler than that.

Jon Lanuza