Today is May 13.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.  
 
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”    
   
Today’s reading is from the book of Exodus, chapter 28.  
 

“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the LORD. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the LORD.   
“Make the robe of the ephod entirely of blue cloth, with an opening for the head in its center. There shall be a woven edge like a collar around this opening, so that it will not tear. Make pomegranates of blue, purple and scarlet yarn around the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. The gold bells and the pomegranates are to alternate around the hem of the robe. Aaron must wear it when he ministers. The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die. “Make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it as on a seal: HOLY TO THE LORD. Fasten a blue cord to it to attach it to the turban; it is to be on the front of the turban. It will be on Aaron’s forehead, and he will bear the guilt involved in the sacred gifts the Israelites consecrate, whatever their gifts may be. It will be on Aaron’s forehead continually so that they will be acceptable to the LORD.
 

Alright, I know what you are thinking: this is a strange passage! It’s instructions to Aaron with regard to the temple. It’s so detailed: instructions about the cloth, about the designs, about the colors, and about the religious ritual Aaron was to be a part of. And in the middle of it, one very significant line: “the sound of the bells will be heard when he enters and comes out... so that he will not die.” You might not understand all of the other details, but that’s pretty stark. How do you think Aaron felt about that?  
   
How does that differ from what we read in Hebrews: Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. In the Old Testament, approaching God’s throne was fearful. In the New Testament, because of Jesus, we can approach him in confidence, knowing we will find mercy and grace in our time of need. How does this make you feel? Listen again and pay attention to the difference in ‘approaches to God’ we see between the old and New Testament.   
   
Take time as we end prayer today to ask God to give you the gift of confidence in His mercy and grace. Again: we’re not called to be only ‘self-confident’ the way so many understand it. Any self-confidence we have stands on our confidence in the character of God, and His availability to us through Jesus. Invite God to grow an understanding of this confidence in you.

Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.   

Music: No One Like You - Vineyard Columbus - (YouTube)