A Multi-Colored Church is On His Heart

Exodus 30 continues to describe the High Priest of Israel's apparel.

Exodus 39:4–5 (ESV) They made for the ephod attaching shoulder pieces, joined to it at its two edges. 5 And the skillfully woven band on it was of one piece with it and made like it, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen, as the Lord had commanded Moses.

This sacred garment was the one piece vest that the high priest wore over his front and back mid-sections. On the front was a breast piece will 12 stones:
Exodus 39:8–14 (ESV) He made the breastpiece, in skilled work, in the style of the ephod, of gold, blue and purple and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen. 9 It was square. They made the breastpiece doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth when doubled. 10 And they set in it four rows of stones. A row of sardius, topaz, and carbuncle was the first row; 11 and the second row, an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in settings of gold filigree. 14 There were twelve stones with their names according to the names of the sons of Israel. They were like signets, each engraved with its name, for the twelve tribes.

The imagery is fascinating here. A unique stone for the 12 sons of Israel are going to be set in place over the heart of the High Priest. He will KNOW their names. He will uphold them on his shoulders and He will bring them into the presence of God. 

What a beautiful picture of what Christ does for us as our final Great High Priest. He knows our names, He calls each one of us to His heart. He upholds us on His shoulders - those same shoulders on which He carried the cross. He alone can bring us into the presence of God. 

But I thought especially to point out the unique stones placed on the chest of the high priest. If one thing is clearly seen in the creation it is that God loves diversity! He loves multiple kinds of everything, even bugs! God is building a multi-colored church filled with diverse kinds of people. Is it any wonder then, when the disciples report to Jesus that someone who is NOT in THEIR GROUP is casting out demons and they attempt to stop them that Jesus responds with a sharp rebuke?


Mark 9:39–40 (ESV) But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 For the one who is not against us is for us.

The Church has unfortunately NOT gotten the memo from Jesus on what kind of Church He's bringing to heaven. To this day the church is often segregated and separated. We see white churches, black churches, asian churches and latino churches. There's only ONE (Big "C") Church! Those segments make up that Church in many ways but we must remember that in the end, we come into the presence of God TOGETHER and DIVERSE according to the creative genius of God.

So what does this mean?

First: Not every Christian is exactly like you. You need to get used to that. It's okay. In fact, it's beautiful. If every Christian was like you - you'd get bored and uninspired!

Second: Not every Christian is sanctified in the areas you are. But then again, you're not sanctified in the areas they are! So have some grace for them because you will need it FROM them too!

Third: There are still many people God wants to save through Christ that look and act nothing like what you expect. Reach them in the love of God!