How does Aaron's priesthood connect to Jesus' role as our High Priest? Aaron’s Divine Appointment in 1 Chronicles 23:13 “ The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron was set apart, he and his descendants, to consecrate the most holy things, to burn sacrifices before the LORD, to minister before Him and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.” (1 Chronicles 23:13) Key Functions of Aaron’s Priesthood • Set apart (“consecrate the most holy things”)—distinct from the rest of Israel • Offer sacrifices—standing between sinners and a holy God • Minister before the LORD—daily service in the tabernacle • Pronounce blessings—representing God’s favor to the people (cf. Numbers 6:22-27) The Shadows Pointing Forward • Every sacrifice, garment, and ritual prefigured something greater (Hebrews 8:5) • Aaron’s annual entry behind the veil on the Day of Atonement foreshadowed a once-for-all entrance into the heavenly sanctuary (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 9:7-12) • The priestly blessing hinted at a fuller, eternal blessing secured in Christ Jesus, the Ultimate High Priest • “Since we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold firmly to what we profess.” (Hebrews 4:14) • “He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17) • “Because He remains forever, He has a permanent priesthood.” (Hebrews 7:24) Parallel Lines Between Aaron and Jesus • Divine appointment – Aaron: “set apart” (1 Chronicles 23:13) – Jesus: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5-6) • Mediation through sacrifice – Aaron: offered animal blood repeatedly (Leviticus 16:15-19) – Jesus: offered His own blood once for all (Hebrews 9:11-14) • Access to God’s presence – Aaron: one man, once a year, behind the veil (Leviticus 16:34) – Jesus: tore the veil and gives continual access (Matthew 27:50-51; Hebrews 10:19-22) • Blessing the people – Aaron: spoke the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-26) – Jesus: pronounces eternal life and peace (John 17:2; Acts 3:26) • Succession – Aaron: lineage-based, priests died and were replaced (Hebrews 7:23) – Jesus: lives forever, no successor needed (Hebrews 7:24-25) Why This Matters For Us Today • Confidence—His once-for-all sacrifice secures complete forgiveness (Hebrews 10:12-14) • Access—believers draw near with boldness, not fear (Hebrews 4:16) • Identity—we are now “a royal priesthood” serving under our eternal High Priest (1 Peter 2:9) • Hope—Jesus’ unending intercession guarantees our salvation to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:25) |
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