A Better Way

Leviticus is wonderfully rich and full of shadows of a better way that God would initiate through His Son, Jesus Christ. The ministry of Jesus Christ is far superior than that of Leviticus. In reading the multitude of requirements expected from God's people each day, I am overwhelmingly grateful for the sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ.

The book of Hebrews in the New Testament reveals to us Christ's superiority. Jesus offered himself as a perfect sacrifice once for all. (9:12-14; 25-26) The priesthood of Jesus lasts forever. (7:23-25) He became the High Priest we need. (7:26-27; 9:11) Jesus offers us a better covenant. (8:7-13) Through Jesus, the Festivals of the Lord are fulfilled.
1) He became the Passover Lamb...
(1 Cor. 5:7; 1 Pet 1:18-20)
2) ...the unleavened bread...(without sin)
(2 Cor 5:21)
3) ...the "Firstfruits"...(resurrection)
(1 Cor 15:20-23)
4) Jesus completed the Festival of Weeks (Pentecost) by sending His
Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8; 2:1-6)
The last three Festivals carry strong prophetic overtones. They are yet to be fulfilled.

So what are we to do with this better way? For those of us who have trusted Jesus as our Savior and Lord, I think the writer of Hebrews effectively summarizes what our response should be in chapter 4:14-16:

"So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." God is no longer unapproachable and through Jesus what a joy to know that we can draw near to God at any moment, wherever we may be, assured of His glad welcome.

For those who have yet to trust Jesus as Savior and Lord, the only response would be to choose Jesus as the better way. Jesus himself declared in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". Not one person can come to God the Father unless he/she approaches through Jesus. His sacrifice was too costly to include any other avenues to God. This narrow focus is the theme of the entire Bible as we learned from Aaron's son's, Nadab and Abihu, who offered "unauthorized fire" to God. Their sin was that they ignored and dishonored God by doing things their own way. We do well to learn from their lesson for, "how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3)

Hear God's sweet song of love, mercy and grace in the lyrics of a beautiful song written many years ago called, Before the Throne of God Above:
"Before the throne of God above I have a stong and perfect plea.
A great High Priest whose Name is Love Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands, my name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands no tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died my sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb, my perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM, the King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die. My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high, with Christ my Savior and my God!"

Praise God for His better way!