Day 202 - FOUNDATION STONES IN A YEAR

Reading: Exodus 30: 17-21; Leviticus 8: 1-9.

Today we’re continuing to look at one of the primary purposes of baptism – change of identity. In the Jewish ceremonial washings we discussed yesterday, the person undergoing the washing was moving from one state of being to another. 

Our Readings for today give us 2 examples of where baptism was used to indicate a change of state and identity. 

In the Exodus verses, we see how the priests who approached the altar in their daily ministry, had to ritually cleanse their hands and feet in order to be cleansed and made fit and holy for service to God. Now clearly, the removal of dirt from the body was not the essence of this washing. We can think of it as a prophetic action, a physical act of obedience indicating that a greater spiritual reality was happening. 

In the Leviticus verses we see how very ordinary men, Aaron and his sons, were transformed through the washings, to be able to fulfill their priestly office. A change of state and identity was indicated by these washings. 

Baptism is indeed, quite magical. It may be just a simple physical action in your mind, but in the spiritual realm it has incredible power. Never underestimate the value, benefits and spiritual dynamism of baptism. 

Prayer

Thank You Lord for giving me greater insight into the power of baptism. 

For the family

Watch this video together as a family for the next few days.