Have you ever found yourself in a place you weren’t supposed to be? Perhaps you’ve crashed a wedding, snuck into a movie theater, or even used a fake ID to enter a bar underage. While these may seem like harmless adventures, they point to a deeper truth about our human nature and our relationship with God.
In the Old Testament, we encounter a powerful name of God: Jehovah Mekoddishkem, which means “the Lord who sanctifies.” This name appears in Leviticus 20:7-8, where God says, “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”
To understand the significance of this name, we must consider the context. The Israelites had just been freed from centuries of bondage in Egypt and were preparing to enter the Promised Land. However, this land wasn’t empty; it was filled with people who had their own customs, beliefs, and ways of life. God’s call to sanctification was a preparation for His people to live differently in this new environment.
This ancient message resonates powerfully today. As we navigate a world that often operates contrary to God’s ways, we are called to be set apart – to be in the world but not of it. Jehovah Mekoddishkem is actively working to make us holy, to transform us into the image of Christ, so that we can be light in the darkness and ambassadors for His kingdom.
The concept of sanctification might sound intimidating, but at its core, it’s about making something holy or sacred. It’s the process of separating the ordinary from the extraordinary, the common from the special. In our lives, it’s God’s work of cleansing us from sin and making us more like Him.
This transformative work isn’t just an Old Testament concept. In Hebrews 10:10, we learn that “we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been given access to God that was previously unimaginable.
Consider the layout of the ancient temple, with its layers of increasing holiness culminating in the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelt. Only the high priest could enter this most sacred space, and only once a year. But when Jesus died, the veil separating the Holy of Holies was torn, symbolizing our newfound access to God’s presence.
This is the heart of the good news – that we, mere sinners, can now approach the holy God of the universe directly. We can come as we are, with our joys, sorrows, anger, and even our doubts. This intimacy with the Creator is a profound privilege that should fill us with awe and gratitude.
However, with this great privilege comes great responsibility. Just as an 18-year-old entrusted with keys to a bank after hours must treat that access with respect, we too must approach our relationship with God with reverence. It’s easy to become complacent, to treat the extraordinary as ordinary. But we’re called to maintain that sense of wonder and respect for God, His Word, and His church.
So how do we live out this calling to be sanctified? First, we must accept the gift. Sanctification is not something we can achieve on our own; it’s a work of God in us. We need to embrace this gift with faith, even when we don’t fully understand it. It’s okay not to have all the answers – that’s part of the journey of faith.
Second, we need to accept this gift again and again. Sanctification is an ongoing process, a daily pursuit of holiness. It’s not about behavior modification or simply following a set of rules. Instead, it’s about cultivating a right relationship with God, allowing Him to reveal areas in our lives that don’t align with His character, and surrendering those areas to Him.
This pursuit of holiness is challenging work. It requires humility – a willingness to acknowledge our shortcomings and our need for God’s transforming power. Whether we’re 25 or 85, whether we’re emerging from a dark period in our lives or have been walking with God for decades, we all need this humility.
The beautiful thing about this journey is that God desires our sanctification even more than we do. He sent His Son to die for us so that we could be more like Him. And as we pursue holiness, we begin to experience a taste of heaven on earth – prosperity, intimacy, and fullness of life as God intended.
But make no mistake – this journey is a marathon, not a sprint. There will be times when we fall short, when we’re impatient with our children or less compassionate towards our spouse than we should be. The key is not to give up but to keep running the race with perseverance and humility.
As we close, let’s reflect on the words of 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
Jehovah Mekoddishkem, the Lord who sanctifies, is faithful. He has begun a good work in us, and He will carry it on to completion. Let us embrace this journey of transformation, accepting His gift of sanctification daily, and pursuing holiness with humility and perseverance. As we do, may we become ever more radiant reflections of His glory in this world.