Precious Oil

It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. Psalm 133:2 NRSV

Usually, folks think this verse is disgusting. Oil on your head? Yuck!

However, we come from a 21st Century/plenty of H20 and AC culture. We are all about getting rid of the oil on our heads (unless you are like me with very dry hair). And the oil on our faces!

But imagine that you don't have air conditioning. There is very little water to spare - you would drink it, not bathe in it. It is near 100 degrees in the shade. What can you do to cool off?

Well, one thing that was (and still is) more plentiful than water in the Middle East is oil. No, not that crude stuff! I'm talking about olive oil. I encourage you to feel some olive oil today. Just take a bottle and put a bit of it in your hand. What does it feel like? Wet? Silky? Cool? A little heavy? Think about what it would be like to put that on your head when you are very hot - say in the middle of a summer in the South. Wouldn't it feel refreshing? A little cool, wet, silky and heavy. It would run down your head onto your face (and your beard if you have one) and then onto your collar or shoulders.

Now take that imagery one step further. We know that Aaron was the first priest. He was ordained by Moses on God's instructions. When Aaron was ordained, Moses took oil and poured it over his head. So, not only was it cool and refreshing, it was also holy and awesome. God's power and responsibility entered into Aaron and his descendants as that oil was poured over his head, running down to his beard and the collar of his robes.

The psalmist speaks of unity between relatives to be like that refreshing yet powerful oil. What a wonderful imagery! Now if we could only make that reality.

God, what are you asking me to do today to create harmony and unity in my family? Guide me, Lord, guide me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims

Holy

Year Reading: Exodus 28-30

The sacred vestments of Aaron shall be passed on to his sons after him; they shall be anointed in them and ordained in them. Exodus 29:29 NRSV

Reading the whole of today's scripture, I am reminded how bloody a job it was to be a priest. Not only were the vestments very specific and not what I would consider attractive but they were going to get messy. Animals were going to be sacrificed on the altar.  Blood was shed on them and their clothes when they were ordained. They would be sacrificing in those same clothes. The priests were to do this themselves - they couldn't stand around and get a servant to do this for them. To complete the picture, those vestments were to be passed down to the next generation of priests. At that point, I suppose it didn't matter if they vestments actually looked good; they were simply set-apart or holy.

I am not sure how much priests or pastors today in the Christian church appear set apart or holy. There are some churches in which you can identify the minister by their clothes fairly quickly. But in others, it isn't until the sermon begins that the pastor is identified. Certainly none of them are required to make a bloody sacrifice: Jesus Christ did that once and for all.

What makes your priest or pastor set apart of holy? Do they wear special clothes or vestments in worship?

What makes you, a minister of all believers, set apart or holy?

God, you call all of us to be holy and set apart. You have given us your son, Christ Jesus, who has made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. Thank you for your Son and your calling on our lives. In His name we pray. Amen.

Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims