Wednesday, December 22, 2004 Nativity Fast
Great Martyr Anastasia & Chrysogonos
Kellia: Leviticus 8:1-9 Epistle: Hebrews 10:1-18 Gospel: St. Mark 8:30-34
Leviticus 8:1-13, especially vs. 12: "And he [Moses] poured some of the
anointing oil on Aaron's head, and anointed him, to consecrate him." As the Forerunner of Christ under the Old
Covenant, Moses provided a high priest to preside over the rites and ceremonies of Israel's worship in the desert tabernacle.
The present passage describes the consecration of Moses' brother, Aaron, the first in the long lineage of Aaronic high
priests who presided for centuries over Israel's worship, both in the desert tabernacles and later in the temples at Jerusalem.
The line of Aaronic high priests continued to serve until the third and last temple was destroyed by the Roman legions in
AD 70.
In three significant ways, Aaron was a type or foreshadowing of our "great High Priest Who has passed through the
heavens, Jesus, the Son of God" (Heb. 4:14). Like Aaron, the Lord Jesus was a flesh-and-blood human being. Christ also
was chosen from among men to act as High Priest. Likewise, He did not take the role upon Himself, but was designated by
God, just as Aaron was. Most important, since no type perfectly represents the fulfillment, there are significant differences
between Christ our great High Priest and the Aaronic high priests. The Lord was not, by any earthly father, of the lineage
of Aaron. He never offered sacrifices for sins in an earthly tabernacle or temple. Instead, He ushered in the age of the New
Covenant, fulfilling the sacrifice for sins by uniting history and eternity in one final act of Divine forgiveness.
From among all the sons of the tribe of Levi, God chose Aaron to be the first high priest in the long line that continued until
shortly after the Lord's Passion and Resurrection, for as the text says: "the Lord said to Moses, 'Take Aaron and his sons
with him....'" (Lev. 8:1,2). Similarly, as the Apostle teaches, Christ "was appointed by Him Who said to Him, 'Thou art
My Son, today I have begotten Thee" (Heb. 5 :5). Nevertheless, Jesus was of the same humanity as the high priests of the
Old Covenant, so that we have "a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens," and yet is a fellow human being
Who is able "to sympathize with our weaknesses...Who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Heb.
4:14,15). The Lord Jesus, as our great High Priest, was chosen by God to share the same role before God as did the high
priests of the Old Covenant: "to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins" (Heb. 5:1).
Notice that when Aaron was led before the assembly of Israel to be consecrated as high priest, that "the bull of the sin
offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread" also were brought to the ceremony (Lev. 8:2). Why? So
that he would have gifts to offer and a sacrifice for the people's accumulated sins. Christ, on the other hand, knowing full
well that God takes no eternal pleasure in men's imperfect burnt offerings for sins, came, instead, truly to accomplish
God's eternal perfect will - to offer the one, unique and ultimate sin offering of Himself, once and for all in His Own body
(Heb. 10:6,10).
Just as Aaron did not present himself to serve as high priest but was chosen of God (Lev. 8:1, 2), so also the Lord Jesus
came to do God's will (Heb. 10:7). At that point, however, again ends the likenesses between Aaronic high priests and
Christ. Christ is an eternal High Priest, holding "His priesthood permanently, because he continues for ever" (Heb. 7:24).
Furthermore, our great High Priest's offering for sin was offered not just on earth (on the Cross), and "not into a sanctuary
made with hands, a copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf" (Heb.
9:24).
Glory in the highest to God, the One in Trinity, through Whom goodwill appeared among men to deliver Adam from the
ancient curse; for He is the Lover of mankind!