Our Beautiful Priest

We are often disheartened by what we see and experience in this world. Faith overcomes the world by seeing our beautiful Savior. Much of his beauty lies in the work that he willingly undertakes for our salvation. Consider the gorgeous and costly high priestly garments worn by Aaron and what they reveal about the loveliness of Jesus Christ.

                Aaron’s inner garment was a pure white, linen coat or tunic to cover his body. He who comes before God must be completely righteousness. Where can we find such righteousness? Not in Aaron and his sons, as well we know, or in any human priest. All are stained with sin, and the whitest clothing cannot hide the spots. Aaron’s white tunic pointed to a greater High Priest.

                Jesus Christ has obeyed his Father perfectly (John 8:29). His full obedience is given to us by faith (Rom. 3:22; Phil. 3:9). Heaven’s iron-clad case against sinners requires an advocate heaven accepts.  Otherwise, the verdict is hell. John reveals our Advocate. Our resurrected, sinless Savior-Priest (1 John 2:1). He is personally righteous, offered a full satisfaction to pay our penalty, and clothes us in his obedience. When sin and guilt attack, he is righteous and availing.

                Aaron’s inner tunic bound up with an embroidered linen girdle or sash. Like our “belt of truth,” this portrayed Aaron’s readiness for activity. Constant movement and no sitting marked the old covenant priests. Their work was never finished. Our Savior is likewise active. He has sat down from making sacrifice, “for this he did once,” but he never ceases to make intercession for us. We sleep and grow weary, but our beautiful Savior is ever vigilant, saving us to the uttermost (Heb. 7:25).

                Then, he had a sky-blue, armless robe-piece with shoulder epaulets joined with gold, blue, and scarlet threading. Blue-robed – Aaron’s business was with heaven. How could he ascend there to make intercession? He could not. His work pointed to a far greater work. Jesus Christ is the Son of God come down from heaven to offer himself for our sins. He ascended into the heaven “there to appear in the presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24). Do we seek security? Forgiveness? Peace? Purity? Help? Let us hold on to his robes, and heaven’s gates will open; the throne of Majesty will be shower mercy upon us.

                Two onyx stones were set into the shoulder pieces, upon which the names of the children of Israel were engraved: six on each side. Aaron bore these names before the Lord (Ex. 28:12). His shoulders were too weak, but not our Savior’s. When your shoulders droop with labor or discouragement, remember Who is bearing you by name before the Father. He upholds us, not we him. He is securing the future, building the church with future generations in mind, all the way until he returns. Like Daniel, in Christ we are the beloved of heaven. Our names are known there. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, your name is known there.

                Over this was the embroidered breastplate of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet, with twelve precious stones upon which were engraved the names of each tribe of Israel. It was called the “breastplate of judgment” (Ex. 28:19). We are near to our Lord’s heart, because he loves us, and to teach us that he pleads our case before the Father. He is our righteous, heavenly Advocate. His intercession secures our forgiveness because of his once-for-all shed blood and also our Father’s protection and vindication, for our heavenly Priest is also the enthroned King. His righteous intercession is our protection. Conscience is settled and courage enflamed with our name so near Jesus’ heart!

                There were ringlets or clasps of gold on the breastplate, which held the breastplate and robe together, as well as a little pouch. Into this went the Urim (“lights”) and Thummim (“perfections”), likely two stones that helped the priest ascertain God’s will in specific and needful moments. Our Lord Jesus is the wiser than Solomon who guides us by his Word and Spirit, in his Body, his Church. This is one reason we must seek the Lord together at regular times – wisdom is not our private but our community inheritance and privilege. In our day, let us not value the algorithms and so-called intelligence of machines above the Lights and Perfections we have in Christ our beautiful Priest.

                Upon the hem of Aaron’s robe were interspersed bells and pomegranates. The priest was to be heard when he went into the Holy of Holies. Silence meant the Lord was displeased with him and had struck him dead. The Old Testament priests had reason to be terrified by their approach to the mercy seat. Our heavenly and holy Priest, Jesus Christ, fears not the approach. He loves his Father, and his Father loves him. He carries us without any fear of silence, for heaven is always rejoicing and singing at his place in the center of the throne. Whatever makes you afraid here, believer, remember that there is no fear where our beautiful Priest is. The more our faith rests upon him there, the less afraid we shall be here.

                Upon the high priest’s head was set a headpiece or crown of fine linen with a golden plate attached. It read: “HOLINESS TO THE LORD.” Aaron and his sons were set apart to the Lord. Their persons and work were holy. But what kind of holiness was it that resulted in their deaths? That could not actually take away sin? Oceans of holy water, sacred vestments, or oaths of office can do more than set apart men formally and officially. Our Savior, however, is set apart to his Father inwardly, by the power of his endless life, his worthier person, and his sinless sacrifice. He is all our holiness.

                In our Lord Jesus Christ is beauty and power. In this world, sin has brought much ugliness and impotence. The best of men fail. Jesus Christ will never fail. He cannot. He has already triumphed. In his heavenly kingdom, it is all light and wisdom, mercy and purity. By faith we see him in his loveliness. His loveliness changes us. By faith we draw from his beauty and power and become more beautiful ourselves, more useful in the world, brighter lights to this sin-darkened world. All from Him.