When the priests ate unleavened bread and the meat of the sin offering, they became holy. It says that whoever “touched it became holy” (Lev 6:18, 27). Whatever touched the altar became holy (Ex 29:37). Holy anointing oil (Ex 37:29) made holy what it touched (Ex 40:9). The point of all of this is that we are only holy in relationship to the Holy. Our High Priest has touched us with His Holy Anointing Oil, His Holy Spirit, making us holy. Our Holy Savior was killed on a Roman cross. When He touched this unholy instrument of terror, it became a holy altar of sacrifice. Christ is our Holy Place; draw near to Him; present your body as a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1-1) on the altar of His cross (Rom 6:1-11, Gal 2:20). Living this daily dying is the holy relationship into which we have entered.
“Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and consecrate it, and the altar shall be most holy; whatever touches the altar shall become holy.” Ex 29:37 (NRSV)
