Observation: In this passage, the Lord gives Moses a special recipe for oil to anoint the holy tent, all the temple utensils, and Aaron's family of priests. God also gives a recipe for temple incense. Interestingly, the oil is to include myrrh, and the incense is to include frankincense. The Magi knew what they were doing when they chose these gifts: they imply holiness. God makes clear that these recipes are set apart from anything ordinary, as are the things and people they touch. They are holy.
Application: Holiness has gotten a bad rap of late. The worst insult you can lob at a religious person is "holier than thou." Worship planners have tried hard to make liturgies accessible and understandable by visitors. We (rightfully, I think) try to encourage our congregations to be more "come as you are," and while I would never discourage worshipers from putting on their "Sunday best" for church, I strongly discourage our folks from judging those who don't. Church culture is changing.
A lot of this is very good. Insider language and insider practices are a huge roadblock for a world that needs to hear our message of how much God loves them. It does not add to the beauty or sacred nature of a liturgy if we intentionally do not explain its meaning to those experiencing it for the first time. If the church wants to engage new people, we have to be clear about what we do, and why.
Having said that, it is still important to set some things apart. Whether we're worshiping in a cathedral or a living room, God has given us ways to set apart the time, and set apart the people who spend the time together. We're not just here for a fireside chat between friends: we're here for the words of eternal life. We're not just here for a snack, or even a family meal: we're here for God's meal of victory over sin and death. This should feel special, and some aspects of it should even feel mysterious, whether you're doing it for the first time or the ten-thousand-and-first. It is alien to our daily experience. It is other.
Holiness is not about sinlessness or perfection on our part. Christians' lives are not "holier" than those of other people. We're sinners just like everyone else. Holiness is just organizing our day, our week, our year, in such a way as to remember that God is beyond our grasp, yet God has taken hold of us.
Prayer: God, thank you for setting me apart for your Holy People through baptism. Thank you for anointing me with oil and sealing me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to set some of my time apart--and to invite the world in a meaningful way into that time--so that we can know you are beyond our grasp, yet you have grasped hold of us.
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