Our Perfect Priest
The restrictions on the priesthood for Israel in Leviticus 21 are pointing to two realities. First, the priesthood of believers - a people who are presented to Gods service through Christ's atonement for pure and life giving ministry to God's purposes.
The chapter continues these them turning now to a strange set of stipulations appears:
Leviticus 21:16–21 (ESV) And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19 or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, 20 or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles. 21 No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Why does God limit the physical attributes of the High Priest in Israel to seemingly perfect standards?
It is not because God hates those who are disabled or physically handicapped. See how Christ always goes to those very people in the New Testament without hesitation. No. This passage is pointing to Christ who is completely able and completely strong and completely unlimited by any handicap to seek and save us all.
There is NO blemish in Christ. His body is a perfect offering to God. He alone, in purity and righteousness can make the once and for all atoning sacrifice for our sins.
It should not be missed that this exclusion is isolated to the offerings of the food on the altar. No deformed priest can offer the food but all priests, regardless of their malady can share in the food.
Leviticus 21:21–23 (ESV) No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy things, 23 but he shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”
The chapter continues these them turning now to a strange set of stipulations appears:
Leviticus 21:16–21 (ESV) And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Speak to Aaron, saying, None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God. 18 For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, a man blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, 19 or a man who has an injured foot or an injured hand, 20 or a hunchback or a dwarf or a man with a defect in his sight or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles. 21 No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God.
Why does God limit the physical attributes of the High Priest in Israel to seemingly perfect standards?
It is not because God hates those who are disabled or physically handicapped. See how Christ always goes to those very people in the New Testament without hesitation. No. This passage is pointing to Christ who is completely able and completely strong and completely unlimited by any handicap to seek and save us all.
There is NO blemish in Christ. His body is a perfect offering to God. He alone, in purity and righteousness can make the once and for all atoning sacrifice for our sins.
It should not be missed that this exclusion is isolated to the offerings of the food on the altar. No deformed priest can offer the food but all priests, regardless of their malady can share in the food.
Leviticus 21:21–23 (ESV) No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a blemish shall come near to offer the LORD’s food offerings; since he has a blemish, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his God. 22 He may eat the bread of his God, both of the most holy and of the holy things, 23 but he shall not go through the veil or approach the altar, because he has a blemish, that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the LORD who sanctifies them.”
So we have a clear picture of Christ and those who are priests with Him. Christ alone can make the offering. We can enjoy the benefits.
It is amazing how much we put into trying to be perfect. We want perfect bodies but we never really have them. We all have something about us that we do not like physically. The same is true, and more serious, about us spiritually. We need healing. We need to be made whole. Only Christ can do this FOR us. We cannot do it for ourselves.
It is amazing how much we put into trying to be perfect. We want perfect bodies but we never really have them. We all have something about us that we do not like physically. The same is true, and more serious, about us spiritually. We need healing. We need to be made whole. Only Christ can do this FOR us. We cannot do it for ourselves.
Comments
Post a Comment