Washed, Clothed and Anointed • Deshen Daily

And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water (Leviticus 8:6, KJV)

The ordination ceremony of the priests in the Old Testament is a symbolic illustration of our salvation experience. Aaron and his sons were washed, clothed, and anointed to serve as priests, which parallels the new birth experience in Christ as God prepares us to serve as His priests.

Moses commenced the ordination of Aaron and his sons by bathing them. Similarly, we experience spiritual cleansing at the new birth. Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 6:11 that we were washed and sanctified in Jesus’ name by the Spirit of the Lord. This cleansing called the “washing of regeneration” in Titus 3:5, eradicates all sin and impurity, consecrating us in Christ. This thorough heavenly bath at salvation is why God calls us holy in Christ( Ephesians 1:4).

After cleansing, the priests were adorned with exquisite garments (Leviticus 8:7). These garments, designed for “beauty and glory,” represent the glorious attire of salvation God bestows upon us in Christ (Isaiah 61:10). When you received Christ, you were also clothed in spiritual attire of splendor. God wraps you in Christ, who is the very glory of God! ( Galatians 3:27, Colossians 1:26-27).

Concluding the ordination, the priests were anointed. As believers in the New Testament, you are anointed in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:21). The Holy Spirit came into your heart at the new birth, anointing you to be God’s child and setting you apart as His own.

Embrace your new identity in Christ, leaving behind your old self before you accept Christ. Now cleansed, adorned, and empowered in Christ—you are ready for glory!

Meditate

Visualize Jesus cleansing, clothing, and anointing you by the Spirit at salvation.

Apply the Word

Since you are cleansed, no room remains for feeling impure. Clothed in glory, shame finds no place. Empowered, you are far from powerless! Embrace these truths to guide how you view yourself and live.