He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the LORD had commanded him. (Leviticus 8:9)What if God gave us a badge of holiness? The outlaw in the western said, “we don’t need no stinkin’ badges.” But how great it would be if we got some, if when we come to Jesus, he gave us a badge of holiness.
We could wear our badges of holiness and people would see that we were favored of God, that he was in our lives. People would know that our worship was sincere, and that we were really praying and not sleeping during the prayers at church.
It would be an authentication of our own holiness, approved of God. We would be ordained to holiness, wearing our badge.
What would it look like? In Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the quest was to select the Holy Grail, the cup Jesus held at the last supper. There were cups of all sizes and shapes, both opulent and plain. The characters had to select one. If they chose the wrong one, they would die.
Several chose gem encrusted, gold ones and died. Finally the main character chose a simple pottery cup, the kind that would be used by a simple carpenter. And he was right. It was not the looks or richness of the grail, it was the richness of the God behind the grail.
The same without badges. Aaron’s was fancy, just like the rest of his High Priestly garments and was designed to impress the Israelites. They had come from a country that was hyper fancy (Egypt) and God knew they were used to seeing that kind of thing. So he made the tabernacle and all of the priestly stuff like that.
But would ours be fancy? Or would it be just a simple button. I don’t think it would be plastic, because I do not like plastic in general. But maybe wood, or metal. Would it be large and conspicuous, so everybody could see it at a distance? You walk in the church building and everybody sees you have your badge of holiness on.
Or would it be discreet and maybe even go under your clothes, on a lanyard around your neck? And when you wore it, would it make a difference in your life? Would the badge itself change you. When people dress up, they act differently than when they have on jeans, so maybe it would make us different by its mere presence.
Or would it make any difference at all? Would it soon become an accessory like a cross around your neck that people wore to show off?
Interesting thoughts. I guess I am glad I do not have to worry about it. I have the Holy Spirit to seal me into the kingdom and that is enough.
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