“For Aaron’s sons, make tunics, sashes, and special head coverings
that are glorious and beautiful”.
Exodus 28:40
In the book of Exodus the future of political leadership is cloudy. Moses’ sons would not inherit the office. Nor would Joshua’s boys. In fact the book of Judges shows just how messy the succession process would become. It was not God’s original intention that leadership should be inherited. Instead God favoured the process of selecting uniquely designed men and filling them with the Spirit for the job. None were related but all were greatly used.
But yet, when it came to Aaron, the high priest, God planned that spiritual leaders would be hereditary. Without hesitation, the Lord said that not only Aaron but his sons too were to be priests. They were not even given a choice in the matter. They were elected and that was that. It was their father’s role to get them ready for the work. The only choice they had was whether they would be a good priest or a poor one.
What does this mean for us today?
In one sense the best seminary is the Christian home to produce future spiritual leaders. There are remarkable examples of people coming to Christ without a Christian upbringing who go on to be remarkable spiritual leaders. But there are more examples of leaders who were raised by godly praying parents who not only disciplined their children but discipled them well. Educational instituitions, seminaries and colleges and experience sharpened their abilities, but the heart of their ministry started around the meal table.
Because Peter explains that all Christians are called to be priests; Aaron’s story applies to us all. In this story, as throughout the book of Acts, it is clear that God wants to save whole families and not just individuals. Eventually every one of our children leaves home. It is God’s intention that when they do that they should represent the Lord well and bring his presence wherever they should go.
I remember my wife dressing our children for their first day in kindergarten. They had crisp, cute school uniforms. They were so proud of their little shoes and school bag. We had them stand at the balcony and took a picture. We still have those pictures.
Both our kids don't wear uniforms anymore. They have both passed the age of putting on school uniforms. The last time I saw my son in his white prefect's uniform was the day he went to collect his 'O-level' results some three weeks back. The uniforms are now in storage, the real clothes are waiting.
My children are called to be priests, to bring the presence of God wherever they go and to bring the influence of Christ wherever they are. I want them to know two things before they leave the dressing room of our home.
The clothes they are given by the Lord in a Christian home are beautiful. They are not out-dated but powerfully relevant; spiritually in vogue. It is as if everyone in the world is dressed in grey and they are allowed to wear colour, to bring hope where there is none to be had. There should be joy, anticipation and awe of God in the ministries He has called them to do as priests. I want them too to know that these clothes are glorious, for it is God who has called them and it is the Lord who will go with them where they go. He will be with them in his presence and he will touch every life that they touch. He will make their life glorious and they will shine in his clothings.
As parents we are called to clothe our children for life - with the robe of Christ. Fussing over their material needs is necessary but paying attention to their spiritual dressing is far more needful. Let's clothe our children for LIFE!
