Aaron, Jesus, and Me - A Royal Priesthood

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2028-29&version=NIV

But you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
– 1 Peter 2:9

In today’s passages we read of the consecration of Aaron and his descendents to serve as priests for the Israelites. Under the Old covenant, the job of the priests was to offer gifts and sacrifices to atone for sin and to intercede for the people, to deal with those who are ignorant and are going astray, and to read the law of Moses to the people and remind them of their covenant obligation.

And then God made a better way, appointing a great High Priest – Jesus Christ – to make final atonement for our sins – ushering in his New Covenant. Under that new covenant we also are consecrated – set apart – to be part of the royal priesthood. Because we have been chosen for this, I think it’s important to understand what it means to be part of the royal priesthood. Let’s look at what the role of the Old Covenant priests was, how Christ fulfilled that role, and how through him we also are able to be part of the royal priesthood.

First, it is important to know that the priests must be chosen by God. In Exodus 28:1 God tells Moses that he wants Aaron and his sons to serve as priests. We read Hebrews 5:4-6 that “Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, ‘You are My son; today I have become your Father.’ And he says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. And in 1 Peter 2:9 we also read that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood. Wow – how amazing is it that we are called to be part of such an exclusive people – the descendents of Aaron, Christ, and us!

The priests where also clothed in priestly garments – Exodus 27 describes these in great detail. Christ was also robed – in the midst of being our atoning sacrifice they casts lots for Christ’s clothes, put a purple robe on him and mocked him, and then he wore grave clothes. But now, he sits at the right hand of God, clothed in majesty and splendor (Psalm 93:1; 104;1). We also are clothed in priestly garments. Colossians 3:10-12 says that we have put on a new self, and are told ‘as God’s chosen people, holy and early loved, cloth yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Romans 13:14 says we are to clothe ourselves with Christ. My favorite is Isaiah 61:10, “For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.”

Next, it is important to know that the priests where consecrated – all of the people are called in Exodus 29 to come to a seven-day ceremony of consecration. Through the making of sacrifice, Aaron and his sons are set apart and made suitable to be made presentable to worship the God of all – the great I AM. Christ himself was set apart for a specific purpose – HE, needing not atonement, was made the atoning sacrifice for us. And so, through Christ, we are also called to be set apart. We are called to consecrate our body in service to God. Romans 12:1-2 says, “In view of God’s mercy, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Take note – God asks as to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Notice the parallel that when Aaron and his sons were consecrated, their ears, hands, and feet where specifically made part of that consecration (Ex. 29:19-21). This consecration symbolized a sensitivity to God and his word and a life of service to other’s on God’s behalf. When, through the sacrifice and power of Christ, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, we too are giving a sensitivity to God’s word. Note Romans 12:2 says we are able to test and approve God’s will – I believe this is done through the renewing of our minds by the Word of God and the power of the Spirit.

One of the roles of the priests was also that they were to intercede for the people and to gently guide them. This was the purpose of both the onyx stones engraved with the names of the sons of Israel in Exodus 28:9-12 and the specific construction of the breast plate. Exodus 28:30 says, “Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decision for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.” Christ also intercedes for us – Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them” (Romans 8:26-27 and 34 also speak of both the Spirit and Christ making intercession for us before the throne of God). And so we, as the royal priesthood are also called to intercede for one another. James 5:16 says that we are to “confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man (one who is part of the royal priesthood, made righteous through the great High Priest) is powerful and effective.

Lastly, Exodus 28:36-39 describes the final piece of the priestly garments. Aaron was to wear a turban – a golden crown with the words, “Holy to the Lord” inscribed on it. Wearing this, he could not forget his new identity – He was holy, set apart for God’s service. Christ also wore a crown as the great High Priest – a crown of thorns. But now he wears another crown – as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Revelations 19:11-12 is another passage I love. It says, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns."

I think I will end on this thought. As God’s chosen people, a member of the royal priesthood, you also wear a crown. Isaiah 61:3 says that we have a crown of beauty instead of ashes and 62:3 says that you will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand. Are you willing to wear the crown that states your identity, “Holy to the Lord?”

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels