1.
Moses and the Israelites escaped from Egypt and entered the wilderness. At Mount Sinai, a special nation was born—the Kingdom of God. God made a covenant with Israel and, through the law, taught them what it means to be citizens of God's Kingdom.
2.
One of the components of this identity was the system of the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was made as a tent, which later became the prototype for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. The principles of God’s Kingdom were embedded in the system and structure of the Tabernacle. God met His people in the Tabernacle. Worship and sacrifices were performed there, with the most important being the sacrifices for atonement. God provided the sacrificial system so His beloved people could atone for their sins. Each person would bring an animal, such as a bull, sheep, or goat, to die on their behalf. When a person laid hands on the animal's head, their sins were transferred to it, and the animal died in the sinner's place. People had to offer sacrifices whenever they felt the burden of sin. Imagine the scene: there were about two million adult males among the Israelites, and the area around the Tabernacle would have reeked of blood.
3.
Sinners could not offer sacrifices by themselves; this is where the priests came in. Priests could not serve God in any manner they wanted. They could not live away from the Tabernacle. They had to live off the remaining offerings from the sacrifices and the tithes from the people. They couldn’t have other jobs. They had to manage the Tabernacle strictly according to God’s commandments, serve in worship, and carry out the duties of the sacrifices.
4.
The first group of priests in Israel was Aaron and his sons. God gave them specific procedures for ordaining them as the first priests of Israel, one of which involved their garments.
“Take some of the blood on the altar and some of the anointing oil and sprinkle it on Aaron and his garments and on his sons and their garments. Then he and his sons and their garments will be consecrated.” Exodus 29:21 (NIV)
5.
The priests wore white undergarments, an outer robe, an ephod (a type of vest), and a breastplate adorned with 12 stones. According to archaeologists, the garments the priests wore would cost between 20 million and 200 million Korean won today. Interestingly, God instructed that oil and blood be sprinkled on the new clothes of the priests, making them holy. Imagine spilling soy sauce on an expensive designer suit you just bought after saving for months.
6.
For a priest, not only their being but also their garments mattered. Blood from the sacrifice was applied to the right ear lobe, right thumb, and right big toe of the priest. It was also applied to their garments. Christians often think that essence is more important than appearance, and while that is true, the non-essential is also significant. Truth is important, but living out that truth in the world is just as crucial. Just as black bean noodles taste best in a green plastic bowl rather than a golden bowl, the gospel is the most important thing, but our lifestyle that reflects the gospel should also be holy.
7.
Being holy does not just mean being clean. The Hebrew word for holy, "kodesh," means being separated from sin. A holy God is without sin. God called Israel to be His holy people. This meant that He intended to transform Israel, who were once slaves to sin, into a people without sin.
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” Deuteronomy 14:2 (NIV)
8.
However, over time, the meaning of holiness was misunderstood as doing nothing to avoid sin. Even today, on the Sabbath, some Jews do not press elevator buttons because pressing a button is considered work. They hire someone to do it for them because not keeping the Sabbath holy is seen as a sin. In their attempt to keep the Sabbath holy, they lost the true meaning of it.
9.
There is one person who redefined the meaning of holiness—Jesus. To the Jews of His time, it was a sin to eat grains without washing hands on the Sabbath. However, Jesus allowed His disciples to pick and eat grains when they were hungry on the Sabbath. The meaning of the Sabbath is not just about abstaining from work but enjoying true rest in God’s love and having genuine fellowship in love among God's people. It’s not labor for labor’s sake, religion for religion’s sake, or work to gain approval. It’s labor for the sake of love. This is the essence of rest and holiness.
10.
The Hebrew word for priest is “kohen,” meaning one who acts as a mediator. The Latin term is “pontifex,” which means bridge builder. Priests were called to bridge the gap between God and sinners. The Bible says that not only pastors but also all believers who make up the church are called to the priesthood.
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)
11.
Do you remember the previous sermon? “A brand-new luxury item is never the most beautiful.” When you first wear expensive raw denim jeans, they are stiff because of the starch. But once washed and worn repeatedly, they soften and fit perfectly, fading into a beautiful wash. Similarly, the new clothes of the priests needed to be sprinkled with blood stains to make them functional. It was only after the clothes were stained that the priests could freely serve. The moment their garments got dirty, the real duties of the priests began.
12.
Likewise, our garments should also be stained with the oil of the Spirit and the blood of Jesus. If our only goal is to stay clean, we should retreat to the mountains. But we are called to build the church in the heart of the city, to establish God's Kingdom. Our entire lifestyle should be marked by the blood of Jesus. Even when we face wounds, unexpected misfortunes, or the narrow path, we should praise and thank God. Those who are willing to carry burdens for the community and endure losses will not have clean clothes; they will be stained. Our goal is not to have a smooth life but to find peace in God amid the storm and battlefield.
13.
I have two stories of my clothes being drenched in blood during my life. One was when a fight broke out in a bar. My friends fled, and I, unable to fight, was beaten up by 17 people. My clothes were dyed with blood. The second was when I was in first grade. After watching a Superman movie, I ran down from the third-floor apartment steps at top speed, only to crash through the thick glass tiles of the front door due to inertia and tumble outside. For the first time, I saw blood flowing like water under my chin. Afraid of being scolded by my mom, I pretended not to be hurt and ran two laps around the apartment. My mother, upon finding me, did not take me to the hospital but provided first aid at home. My mom, dad, and Hyejeong pressed cloth against my wounds until the bleeding stopped. Because it was my blood, they didn’t hesitate to stain their hands.
“The high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. But Christ did not enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:25-28 (NIV)
14.
Jesus is the High Priest of all humanity. To atone for the sins of mankind, Jesus came as a bridge builder. As our High Priest, Jesus became the atoning sacrifice for sinners. He poured out His blood completely on the cross, and that blood cleanses our sins. No other religion has such a concept. In all other religions, one must perform religious duties and good deeds to relieve guilt. But Christianity uniquely teaches that God came down to us in our place. He gave His life for us, sinners, as a gift of grace. Grace is a gift given to those who do not deserve it.
15.
We are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. We, too, must wear the garments of priests. Not the elegant clothes of the world, but the carpenter’s clothes of Jesus. We must be drenched in the sweat, tears, and blood of serving the world. This is a holy lifestyle.
16.
We face unexpected trials. We suffer losses. We make mistakes. There are pains. But bring all these problems to the cross of Jesus. Then, losses will no longer be losses. Every event and pain that passes through the blood of Jesus will work together for good. Don’t regret what you’ve lost. Was there a car accident? From now on, that car will no longer be for showing off but a moving sanctuary. Is your body in pain? God will make it a body covered in the blood of Jesus. Are your children causing trouble? God will turn them into new lives stained with Jesus' blood. Moreover, let all the cultural activities you enjoy become not for your pleasure but, through the blood of Jesus, channels for the gospel.
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