Today’s reading: Lev 9:1–11:47, John 7:53–8:11, Song 6:6–10
Today’s theme: Live as God’s holy priests
We have been called to live as God’s own holy priests in the earth and so can learn lessons from the scriptures dealing with the Levitical priesthood. We, like them, need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us, the seal of approval by God the Holy Spirit dwelling inside us. We need to understand the clear distinction between that which is holy and unholy as God’s ambassadors and representatives in the earth.
Unlike the Roman Catholics we believe in the priesthood of all believers before God with Jesus as our High Priest.
Leviticus 9:1–11:47
Order and holiness
This is the law of the burnt offering, of the grain offering, of the sin offering, of the guilt offering, of the ordination offering, and of the peace offering, Leviticus 7:37 (ESV)
At the close of this section in Leviticus we get a summary of all 6 types of sacrifice described, all of which pointed forwards to Jesus. This whole section (chapter 1-7) serves to remind us that worship in the church and our lives must be done in order and holiness.
Ears, hands and feet
And he killed it, and Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8:23 (ESV)
We need the blood of Jesus on our ears so we always hear (listen) to the voice of God, hands to carry out (work) God’s commands and feet to walk (act, behave) in holiness.
God’s seal of approval
And Moses and Aaron went into the tent of meeting, and when they came out they blessed the people, and the glory of the LORD appeared to all the people. Leviticus 9:23 (ESV)
God’s glory was revealed as a stamp of approval for the newly built tabernacle, sacrifice system and most of all Aaron as a mediator and his sons as priests.
This again prefigures Jesus who is our High Priest, who in entering His ministry after His sacrifice, revealed to us the glory of God’s indwelling presence on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given.
Avoid strange fire
Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the LORD has said: ‘Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.’ ” And Aaron held his peace. Leviticus 10:3 (ESV)
Ministry should not be undertaken or done lightly. God is holy and must be ministered to in holiness. Strange fire can represent anything we bring before The Lord which is itself not holy or just a cloak for our sinful attitude etc.
Live as God’s holy priests
You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” Leviticus 10:10–11 (ESV)
As believers we too have been called to be priests. We are called to be holy, this means we need to clearly distinguish between that which is holy and that which is not. This discernment comes from God’s word and His Holy Spirit. We are also called to teach by our lifestyle and words. We are set apart to minister to God but also to be witnesses.
John 7:53–8:11
None like Jesus, The Lord
The officers answered, “No one ever spoke like this man!” John 7:46 (ESV)
Even the temple soldiers had to recognise the unparalleled wisdom of Jesus. These were not like the Roman soldiers, they were actually chosen from the levities and so had religious training, which means the teaching of Jesus would have impacted them all the more.
Jesus is the Word incarnate, no one will ever compare to Him in wisdom or speech. Even today many recognise the wisdom of Jesus but do not submit to Him which is itself not wise.
As CS Lewis said, He could not just have been a good teacher, the things Jesus said meant He could have only been a liar, a lunatic or the LORD.
Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.
Additional resources
The Gospel Coalition on The Priesthood of Jesus
Got Questions on the Priesthood of all Believers