What New Testament passages echo the themes found in Leviticus 22:3? Leviticus 22:3 in Focus “Say to them, ‘For the generations to come, if any man of all your descendants approaches the sacred offerings that the Israelites consecrate to the LORD while he is unclean, that person shall be cut off from My presence. I am the LORD.’ ” Core Threads to Watch For • God’s offerings are holy. • Only those who are clean may draw near. • Coming while unclean brings judgment—being “cut off” from His presence. Echoes in the Words of Jesus • Matthew 5:23-24 — Before bringing a gift to the altar, first be reconciled to your brother; purity of heart precedes acceptable worship. • John 13:8 — “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” Jesus links cleansing directly to fellowship with Him. Echoes in Paul’s Letters • 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 — “Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord…eats and drinks judgment on himself.” – Lord’s Table parallels Israel’s sacred food; unworthy approach brings real discipline (vv. 30-32). • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 — “You are God’s temple…If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.” Holiness of God’s dwelling is non-negotiable. • 2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1 — “Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” Paul quotes Levitical language, then urges believers to “perfect holiness in the fear of God.” Echoes in Hebrews • Hebrews 10:28-31 — Treating Christ’s covenant blood as “unclean” brings punishment “more severe” than under Moses. • Hebrews 12:14-15 — “Pursue…holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” Sight of God, like access to the sanctuary, depends on holiness. • Hebrews 13:10-16 — We have an altar; we bear His reproach outside the camp, echoing Leviticus’ warnings about purity within the camp. Echoes in Peter and John • 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “Be holy, because I am holy.” Direct citation of Leviticus’ holiness refrain. • 1 Peter 2:5, 9 — Believers are now “a holy priesthood” offering “spiritual sacrifices,” so Leviticus’ priestly purity laws find fresh application. • Revelation 21:27 — “Nothing unclean will ever enter” the New Jerusalem, mirroring Leviticus’ exclusion from God’s presence. Putting the Threads Together • Old and New Testaments unite on this point: approaching God’s holy things is never casual. • The cross does not relax God’s standard; it provides the cleansing that makes holiness possible (1 John 1:7). • As a kingdom of priests, believers carry Leviticus 22:3 forward—examining themselves, confessing sin, and relying on Christ’s blood before drawing near in worship, service, or Communion. |
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