October 21 | Numbers 3:5-15

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DAILY READING

Numbers 3:5-15

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REFLECTION

A New Priesthood

by Pr. Dave Mann

In Numbers 3, God establishes the Levitical corps as all the descendants of Levi, one of the twelve sons of Israel.  He also establishes the Aaronic priesthood as a subset of the descendants of Levi, i.e., the descendants of Aaron.  The priests were the only ones to enter the holy place of the Tabernacle to offer sacrifices to the Lord.  The Levites were to care for the Tabernacle and the surrounding courtyard.  They were to represent all the people of God to the Lord.

However, this was not to be a permanent restriction on the people, but rather a type of humanity, or a model, to which all believers would be incorporated in the future because of the cleansing power of the cross of Jesus Christ.  All believers could become intercessors in prayer.  All believers could draw near to seek God.

Peter writes in his first epistle (1 Peter 2:5), "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." And he writes again (1 Peter 2:9), But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, "God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

The Apostle John, writing on the isle of Patmos in his later years, writes three times in Revelation:

(1:6) "[Jesus Christ] has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen."

(5:10) "You have made them [everyone in the Book of Life] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

(20:6)  "Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years."

Isn’t it wonderful to know that through faith in Jesus, we can have direct access to the Lord in prayer.  Jesus himself is the chief high priest, and through his blood, we are ushered in as priests of his new order.  Hebrews 10:19-22 states: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, you are the great high priest and that which was originally established only for the descendants of Levi and Aaron is now made available to all who place their trust in your shed blood.  I will forever be grateful for your work and the access you have won on the Cross.  Amen!