Day 92 "The Changing of the Guardian" (Hebrews: Chapter 7)

The following information was taken from Wikipedia:

A military guard was first posted on March 25, 1926. The first 24-hour guard was posted on midnight, July 2, 1937. The Tomb of the Unknowns has been guarded continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, since that time. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier or the Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to deceased U.S. service members whose remains have not been identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, United States of America. The World War I "Unknown" is a recipient of the Medal of Honor, the Victoria Cross, and several other foreign nations' highest service awards. The U.S. Unknowns who were interred are also recipients of the Medal of Honor, presented by U.S. Presidents who presided over their funerals.

The duties of the sentinels are not purely ceremonial. The sentinels will confront people who cross the barriers at the tomb or whom they perceive to be disrespectful or excessively loud.

Walking the mat

There is a meticulous routine that the guard follows when watching over the graves. The tomb guard:

1. Marches 21 steps south down the 63-foot-long (19 m) black mat laid across the Tomb.

2. Turns and faces east, toward the Tomb, for 21 seconds.

3. Turns and faces north, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.

4. Marches 21 steps down the mat.

5. Turns and faces east for 21 seconds.

6. Turns and faces south, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.

7. Repeats the routine until the soldier is relieved of duty at the Changing of the Guard.

After each turn, the guard executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the guard stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Out of respect for the interred, the sentinels command silence at the tombs. If the guard walking the mat must vocally confront a disturbance from spectators, or a threat, the routine is interrupted, and remains so until the disturbance is under control. The sentinel will exit the mat, place the weapon in port arms position, and confront the disturbance. Once under control, the sentinel then walks on the pavement to the other side of the mat, turns to shoulder arms, and resumes the routine from the point of interruption.

Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed—the 21-gun salute. The mat is usually replaced twice per year: before Memorial Day and before Veterans Day. This is required because of the wear on the rubber mat by the special shoes worn by tomb guards. The sentinels have metal plates built into the soles and inner parts of their shoes to allow for a more rugged sole and to give the signature click of the heel during maneuvers. The sentinels wear sunglasses because of the bright reflection from the marble surrounding the Tomb and the Memorial Amphitheater. On the ground not covered by the mat, a rust pattern in the tile can be seen that corresponds to the precise steps taken during the changing of the guard. The metal from the guards' boots causes the brown rust markings on the stone. On the mat itself, footprints caused by standing guard are also visible.

Changing of the Guard

While Arlington National Cemetery is open, during the day in summer months from April 1 to September 30, the guard is changed every half hour. During the winter months, from October 1 to March 31, the guard is changed every hour. After the cemetery closes to the public (7 p.m. to 8 a.m. April through September, and 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. October through March), the guard is changed every 2 hours. The ceremony can be witnessed by the public whenever Arlington National Cemetery is open.The guard change is very symbolic, but also conducted in accordance with Army regulations. The relief commander or assistant relief commander, along with the oncoming guard, are both required for a guard change to take place. The relief commander orders the guard being relieved to "pass on your orders" to the oncoming guard. The guard being relieved will say to the oncoming guard, "Post and orders remain as directed." The oncoming guard's response is always, "Orders acknowledged." During changes when the public is witnessing the ceremony, the commander will inform the public that the ceremony is about to take place and that those in attendance should remain "silent and standing" throughout the entire event. In some occurrences, the public is also asked to refrain from taking flash pictures (mostly during inclement weather).

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The changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery is, indeed, a very hallowed and sacred ceremony. I should know, I have been there a couple of times in person. It is a ceremony that transfers the prestigious responsibility of standing guard and protecting the hallowed grounds and reverence which surround the remains of the unknowns. Carried out in highest respect and precision, the ceremony is completed when the uncoming guard assumes and takes over the orders of the relieving guard. The watch continues.

Changing of the Guard in the Spiritual Realm

In the spiritual realm, a significant and monuments changing of the guard has also taken place. It has to do with the old covenant (the mosaic law), one that was based on the law and our adherence to it, being replaced with a new, second covenant, one that is based on faith and grace intended to draw us near to God. What the first was unable to accomplish, creating a heart of righteousness, God fully did for us through Christ's death upon the cross. The first covenant brought man condemnation and the realization that he could not live up to God's righteous standards and showed man his need for a savior to save him. The second covenant was established through Christ and brought righteousness to each man and woman by faith.

As we enter into Romans Chapter Seven, we see further how the changing of the guard over our hearts and spirits is being unfurled for our betterment and understanding. Jesus, who by God's oath, has become our high priest in the order of Melchizedek, the priesthood of "God Most High," a priesthood that last forever. Because Jesus lives forever, and forever is interceding for us before the heavenly Father, Jesus can save us completely. But before we jump into chapter seven, allow me to bring in a little background information to help make things a little clearer.

There are two major illustrations that God's word uses to help us understand our situation, previously under the law and, now, under the covenant of grace. One is the analogy of the child being under a guardianship until coming of age and receiving one's inheritance as an heir. And once an heir, the guardianship is no longer needed or of use. The other analogy is one of being married and only obligated to one's spouse under the law so long as the spouse is still alive. But once one spouse has predeceased the other, the surviving spouse is no longer under any obligations by law to the deceased spouse. The surviving spouse is now free from any responsibilities and obligations that were in place under the law of the previous marriage.

Illustration of the heir: (Found in the book of Galatians)

"What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different than a slave,

although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world."

Galatians 4:1-3

"But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."

Galatians 4:4

"Because you are sons, god sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, 'Abba, Father.' So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you an heir."

Galatians 4:6-7

"But before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith." Galatians 3:23-24

"Now that faith has come, we are no long under the supervision of the law."

Galatians 3:25

Illustration of marriage: ( Found in the book of Romans)

"Do you not know, brothers-for I am speaking to men who know the law-that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage." Romans 7:1-2

"So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that you might bear fruit to God." Romans 7:4

"But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we might serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code." Romans 7:6

Hebrews- Chapter Seven:

"This man (Melchizedek), however, did not trace his decent from Levi "(the priesthood set up through God's people, the Jewish nation) Hebrews 7:6

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood ( on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come- one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:11

"For when there is a change of priesthood, there must also be a change of the law"

Hebrew 7:12

"And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulations as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: 'You are a priest forever (Jesus), in the order of Melchizedek.'" Hebrews 7:15-17

"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ( for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."

Hebrews 7:18-19

"And it was not without an oath! Others, became priests without any oath, but he (Jesus) became a priest with an oath when God said to him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: You are a priest forever.'" Hebrews 7:20-21

"Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant."

Hebrews 7:22

Key verses for me:

"If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood ( on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come- one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:11

"For when there is a change of priesthood, there must also be a change of the law"

Hebrew 7:12

"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ( for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."

Hebrews 7:18-19

"Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant."

Hebrews 7:22

The changing of the guard in Arlington National Cemetery continues the charge, from one sentinel to another, to be watchful, to uphold the reverence and respect honoring those who sacrificed and gave their lives so that others may go on to live a life of peace and freedom that their lives help to pay for.

Jesus' death upon the cross brought about a change of guardianship over our lives. It set us from the covenant of the law, which failed to make man perfect or righteous before God and only brought man condemnation, to set us free to live our lives governed by a new covenant, one in which we are no longer under the responsibility or accountability for our actions, what we do out of our humanly effort, but is, now, based upon our faith and God's love and grace for us. When Jesus said, "It is finished," he completed for us what the first covenant could not ever do: make us holy and righteous before God. Now, that we are holy and righteous before God, our adoption as children of God has been secured. Our rights as heirs has been reestablished. We are now free to live out our lives and look to the future with hope as heirs, co-heirs with Christ.

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A sinner who is forgiven will always live in a defensive mode. But, one who sees oneself as a saint, made holy and perfect through Christ by faith, will live out their lives on the offensive.

Who do you see yourself as, sinner or saint?

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." Romans 8:14

In his love, look forward to meeting with you, again, tomorrow...

"Carpe Momentum in Love" (Seize the moment in love)