For the past few weeks, I have been reading through the book of Leviticus. If you are not a detail person, you might find the text less than engaging. I have a great affection for details, but even so, this book presents some challenges for me. There are so many particulars regarding sacrifices, rituals, and legal and moral practices. In addition, some of the instructions sound brutal to my pacifist, non-violent ears. The text also has the feel of "way too much information," no doubt due to the desire of the priestly writer to compile somewhat of a textbook for those who served in a Levitical capacity.
The main challenge I have in reading Leviticus is being able to recognize the God revealed in the person of Jesus, especially in the midst of all the boring and brutal minutiae of priesthood. However, considering that Jesus is identified as the ultimate high priest by the writer of Hebrews (Heb. 4:14-16), it stands to reason that the priestly documents contain more than a few clues regarding Jesus. In fact, I believe that one of the purposes of the elaborate temple culture was to prepare the nation of Israel to recognize the Messiah when he finally appeared. Unfortunately, many of the religious leaders lost their way in the details. They focused on keeping the finer points of the laws and implementing complex practices and rituals instead of seeking the heart of the God whose presence was represented by the temple.
I am still not sure where we might find Jesus in the midst of detailed instructions on how to butcher sacrificial animals or how to differentiate between different kinds of skin abnormalities, but when we take a step back and consider the setting in which the priests functioned on a daily basis, the tabernacle (Exodus 25-30), we find Jesus everywhere.
1. Altar of Burnt Offering: The first thing people saw when they came into the tabernacle was the altar where the sacrifices were made. John the Baptist calls Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, a direct reference to the purpose of the sacrifice on the altar in the tabernacle (John 1:29). The imagery of a sacrificial animal to represent the Messiah is most prevalent in the book of Revelation where the author repeatedly refers to the One on the throne, the One who overcomes, and the One worthy to receive honour and glory, as a slaughtered lamb.
2. Laver: Next to the altar, we find the laver or washbasin. The water contained therein was used by the priests to perform the purification rite, preparing them for priestly duties. The altar and the purification rite are tied together in these words from John: "the blood of Jesus ... purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). The image of baptism is a re-working of this purification rite, and its association with repentance is clear in John the Baptist's ministry and when Jesus tells the rich ruler that he must be born of water and of Spirit (John 3). The image of a washbasin also reminds us of Jesus tying a cloth around his waist and washing the feet of his disciples. In some way, this appears to be a ritual preparing them for service in the house of God, the church.
3. Entrance: Beyond the laver is the entrance into the Holy Place. Jesus said, "I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved" (John 10:9). The KJV translates this as "door," but the word references a gate through which sheep enter into a safe, protected place.
4. Lampstand: Inside the Holy Place we find several important furnishings. The lampstand reminds us of Jesus's words: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). In the new heaven and new earth, light is also linked to the Lamb: "And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Rev. 21:23).
5. Altar of Incense: Here we also find a second altar, one on which incense is burned. The incense represents the prayers of the people rising up to God (Psalm 141:2; Rev. 5:8). The writer of Hebrews notes: "but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Heb. 7:24-25). We see an example of Jesus as intercessor in John 17 where he prays for his disciples.
6. Table of Presence: Called the table of shewbread in the KJV, this table held twelve loaves of bread representing the tribes of Israel. It brings to mind the words of Jesus: "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35). During the Passover feast, Jesus also identified himself with the unleavened bread: "While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is my body'" (Matt. 26:26). It is interesting to note that in the pagan religions of the time, sacrificing bread to deities was common. The difference here is that the bread was not burned or consumed by YHWH. Instead, the loaves sat in the Holy Place, in the presence of YHWH, for six days and were then given to the priests as part of their provision. The priests did not need to feed YHWH; they were fed through their service of YHWH.
7. Veil: Between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a veil or curtain, a decorated piece of fabric which enclosed the small space associated with the manifest presence of YHWH, a space which the High Priest entered only once a year. This curtain was torn when Jesus died, signifying free access to God (Matt.27:51; Heb. 10:19-22). Jesus said, "I am the way ... no one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Through Jesus, the way is open to enter the presence of God.
8. Ark of Covenant: Inside the Holy of Holies stood the Ark of Covenant which was a living witness to the promise of fidelity made by YHWH: "I will be your God and you will be my people" (Gen. 17:7: Ex. 6:7). The mention of a new covenant by the prophets (Jer. 31:32-34) reflected both the unfaithfulness of the Hebrew people and YHWH's desire to restore and renew the relationship. Jesus inaugurated the new covenant through his blood (Matt.26:27-28), thus honouring the previous promises of YHWH to bless all the nations, including the Gentiles.
9. Tablets of Law. Inside the ark of covenant were the tablets of law given to Moses. They outlined the nature of the relationship between the God of deliverance and the newly-freed Hebrew slaves. Through the directives, their identity was being reshaped from slaves who belonged to cruel taskmasters to people who served a loving God. When Jesus said that he came to fulfill the law, not abolish it, he revealed that the law was always about the heart, not just the outward action.
10. Manna: Also inside the ark of covenant was a jar of the manna which signified the provision of YHWH during Israel's journey in the wilderness. It was bread from heaven. When certain followers asked Jesus for a sign similar to the manna which their ancestors received, Jesus described himself: "For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. ... I am the bread of life” (John 6:30-35).
So where is Jesus?
Jesus is on the altar as the sacrificial lamb, taking away the sin of the world.
Jesus is washing and purifying us so that we are clean before God, fit for service.
Jesus is the gate through which we enter to find safety and community.
Jesus is the light by which we see God and the world.
Jesus is the one who prays for us always.
Jesus is the bread of life, given from heaven for our sustenance.
Jesus is the way through which we can have fellowship with the most holy God.
Jesus is covenant in person, the embodiment of the faithfulness of God.
Jesus is daily nourishment for those wandering in the wilderness.
Jesus is the one who teaches us what the law never could: that God is after our hearts.
Like the priests and religious leaders, we too can miss seeing Jesus, especially if we are focused on untangling complex doctrines or observing religious rituals. It takes practice to recognize Jesus in places where we don't expect him to show up. But the Holy Spirit can help us, give us eyes to see and ears to hear. The kingdom of God is near because Jesus is here.
Read Part 2 here.
---------------
Image from CARM.org
Comments