Jesus Is…, 35

~ Jesus Christ Is Our High Priest ~

Passage  ~  “Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.  For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house.  For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God.  And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:1-6).

Significance  ~  The chief distinguishing aspect of high priests (and Levites) was their holiness.  They were set apart or sanctified for God’s work.  While the distinction between priests and people had to be clearly maintained in order that God's utter holiness be recognized, similarities between priests and laity bring attention to the fact that all Israelites were priests in certain respects. Though they did not minister in the tabernacle or temple, they were priests in the land as a whole.

Comment  ~  The distinction between priests and people was clearly maintained in order to that the holiness of God could be recognized.  However, it is interesting to note that in some senses all Israelites were priests.  Rather than minister in either the temple or the tabernacle they were priests in the everyday world. 

There is a clear parallel for Christians today.  “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Peter 2:9-10).

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Jesus Christ in Leviticus

~ Jesus Christ is Our High Priest and More ~

The Bible is about Jesus Christ  ~  “Jesus said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself” (Luke 24:25-27).

In the book of Leviticus Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is foreshadowed primarily as the High Priest. He is seen as the atoning sacrifice, the way to approach God, and the sacrificial lamb.

Our Great High Priest  ~  Chapter 16 presents the ordinances of the Day of Atonement, a type of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament God did not remove sin but covered it, waiting for the only truly acceptable sacrifice—Jesus Christ. Only the high priest could provide this atonement and in doing so he laid aside his beautiful garments. Christ our great high priest laid aside His glory in heaven to come to earth to provide a sacrifice for us.

“For indeed He [God the Father] does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He [Jesus Christ] had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:16-18).

“Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house. For this One has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as He who built the house has more honor than the house. For every house is built by someone, but He who built all things is God. And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end” (Hebrews 3:1-6). 

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrew 4:14-16).

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:19-20). 

Comment  ~  We have only touched the surface of Christ in Leviticus. Much more could be said about each of the previous examples.

additional comment: While on earth Jesus Christ often quoted the Scriptures including all five books of Moses. He quoted Leviticus 19:18 in the synoptic/parallel passages of Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31.

The Apostle Paul told us the Scriptures present many shadows of things to come but the reality is found in Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:17). 

~~~ EXPLANATORY “JESUS CHRIST IN EVERY BOOK OF THE BIBLE” SERIES ~~~   

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~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW