“Our Savior And Our Intercessor”

September 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

“Our Savior And Intercessor”

Have you ever read something in Scripture and then had the same passage brought before you within a day or two through some other way? That has happened to me twice in the last few days. I find such occurrences exciting, believing they are prompted by the Lord.

One of the recent portions is Exodus 28. The chapter speaks about the garments for the high priest and other priests who served in the tabernacle. In the New Testament we see that the high priest, as God established the office, is a picture of the Lord Jesus in His intercessory work. Hebrews is particularly helpful in understanding the high priestly service of the Lord, including telling us that He is from a different order than that of Aaron. We are plainly told to “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus” (Heb. 3:1 NKJV).

The garments for the high priest were “for glory and for beauty” (Ex. 28:2). This may remind us of the Lord’s beauty and perfections. He is “altogether lovely” (Song 5:16). The Father said of Him that He was “well pleased” (Mt. 3:17). We know that the Lord is “crowned … with glory and honor” (Heb. 2:7). The Lord is worthy of our worship!

Among the things the high priest wore are shoulder pieces and a breastplate. These had the names of the tribes of Israel engraved in precious stones, which were fastened in settings of gold by a master workman. Gold speaks of deity. In application we may think of how precious we are to Him. The Lord bears us upon His shoulders of strength (see Lk. 15:5) and has us over His heart in love (see Eph. 3:19). We are placed and held there by God alone – there is nothing of ourselves.

The high priest was to wear a turban having a plate of gold engraved with “HOLINESS TO THE LORD” (Ex. 28:36). While we see the holiness of the Lord Jesus presented here, we are reminded of our sinfulness and the agony it was for Him, the Holy One, to bear “our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Pet 2:24). We needed the Savior. Now too, as we travel through the present scene of sorrow, it is necessary for us to have our Intercessor – who is holy – to mediate between God and us. All glories are found in Him, who is worthy of our thanksgiving, praise, worship and love!

By Paul Alberts