Originally posted: 05/18/2019
The LORD established His strict and exacting Ceremonial Law, conveying His Perfect Provision for the atonement of sin.
Redemption must never be taken lightly; His Ceremonial Law continually reinforced His Holiness, reminding man of his desperate need of atonement for sin.
Consider Him, Our Perfect Priest
The privilege of His Presence was not earned by man, but was solely by His Provision. The LORD had promised to be their God and to dwell in their midst; but sin must be atoned for through the sacrifices offered by His representatives, the priests. The place of His Presence, His tabernacle, would not be defiled; not only the sacrifice, but also the priest must be without defect.
“No man among the descendants of Aaron the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the Lord’s offerings by fire; since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God… 23 only he shall not go in to the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane My sanctuaries. For I am the Lord who sanctifies them,” (21:21, 23).
The Ceremonial Law graphically displayed that which must be fulfilled for God’s people to approach His Presence; both a Perfect Sacrifice and Perfect Priest were required. No man could ever fulfill the perfect requirement of His Ceremonial Law and claim he is free from the defect of sin; for even the high priest was required to first offer sacrifice for his own sins before offering sacrifice for the sins of others.
“Then Aaron shall offer the bull for the sin offering which is for himself, that he may make atonement for himself and for his household,” (Leviticus 16:6).
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men… 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself, (Hebrews 5:3)
No man was without the defect of sin; no man but Jesus, the Son of God, Our Perfect Priest.
since Christ also suffered for you… 22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth, (1 Peter 2:21-22).
You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin, (1 John 3:5)
And because of His Perfect Life and Perfect Sacrifice, there is nothing more needed; Jesus, our Perfect Priest has fulfilled every necessary requirement of the Law for all eternity. Jesus, our Perfect Priest has accomplished our atonement and forgiveness through His shed blood, once and for all.
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished,” (Matthew 5:17-18).
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever, (Hebrews 7:26-28)
How do we respond to Him, Our Perfect Priest?
- Only in Jesus, Our Perfect Priest, are we granted access to His Perfect Presence. If you have never trusted in His Perfect Provision, call on His Name. May today be the day of your salvation.
- Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”— (2 Corinthians 6:2).
- …let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—… 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved, (Acts 4:10, 12).
- …that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved, (Romans 10:9-13).
- When we have trusted Christ alone for our salvation, we can rest in His Perfect Life as Our Perfect Priest. Life is not easy and trials will come. But when we have received His Provision for our salvation, we have a standing invitation to come to Him, Who sympathizes with us in every weakness. Only in Jesus, Our Perfect Priest, will we find the mercy, grace, and help needed to face every temptation life throws our way.
- Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need, (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Oh, that we would be consumed with gratitude for Him, Our Perfect Priest! If you have trusted in Him, Our Perfect Priest, for what He alone has done, spend time today in intentional thanksgiving for His indescribable gift of salvation.
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15).