Priests
Thus Aaron shall bear the judgment of the people of Israel upon his heart before the Lord continually. (Ex. 28:30)
Ex. 28:30-35, 19:6; Isa. 6:6; Heb. 4:16; Heb. 10:19-24; I Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6, 5:10
What Is God Saying?
The Lord Jehovah was not to be worshiped as a distant, fierce, and unapproachable deity. Instead, He dwelt amid His people. He was available. He wanted to guard and to comfort. He needed to give commandments and let His will be known. His commandments were in the Word He gave to Moses and others, but His Presence was to be in the Holy of Holies. So, with precise specifications, He told Israel about where He would dwell. With equally specific instructions, He said how He should be approached through the intercessions and sacrifices of Aaron, the High Priest, and the sons of Levi who followed him in the priesthood through the centuries. Only a descendant of Aaron could become the High Priest, but there were others (always of the Tribe of Levi) who performed the daily sacrifices and counseled the people on how to follow God. It gave the chosen people unity of purpose, a sense of identity, and traditions to hold and cherish in the ancient world with its confusion and profusion of idolatrous gods.
How Does This Apply To Us?
With His atoning work on Calvary, Christ became the final and perfect High Priest (Heb. 4:14; 7:15-16; 9:11-14). ‘For by a single offering he (Christ) has perfected for all time those who are sanctified’ (Heb. 10:14). Our High Priest ‘has opened a new and living way into the holiest of all.’ Therefore, we have the privilege of coming near to the heart of God for ourselves and others. There are still priests, those who serve a mediatorial, interpretative, and ministerial function on behalf of others, which should be the role of all Christians. Through Christ, all can come to God with faith, love, and trust. As surely as Aaron bore the judgment (or the burdens, the needs, the sins, and the suffering) of the people, we are privileged to pray for others, care about others, think of their needs, and bring them to the Throne of Grace. This is our high calling as Christians.
Pray With Me
Lord, You are my strength, and You are my Redeemer—the strength of Your redemption is beyond the strength of all the enemies of my soul. You lifted me from the depths of sin and despair. You cleansed me from guilt and fear. You set me free from bondage to things that cater only to my desires and ambitions. In Your strength, I am lifted beyond all that. In Your redemption, I return to my soul’s true home- Your presence, blessing, kingdom, and love.
Redeemed and strengthened in Your love, I have a strengthening ministry to others. I cannot take it all in and give nothing out. Through Your grace, I am part of Your royal priesthood, ‘but you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness to his marvelous light.’ With Aaron of old, I bring others before the Lord continually. Not only in my heart, Lord, but where all can see and be encouraged, let me be clothed with holiness that shows to whom I belong, in whom I believe, for whom my life is lived, in whose name I pray.
Through Jesus Christ, my Strength and my Redeemer. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
The happiest blessing comes to the Christian who, even when he kneels to pray, has thoughts of others. As priests, we bring our needs under the light of God’s promises, love, and wisdom. That light, shining on us, spills over on the needs of others. If we are weak, so are others. If we need grace, so do others. If we are lonely, so are others. If we are tempted, so are others. We pray for our own needs. Let us take the next joyful step and bring the needs of His other children before our loving Father. He loves us all.
