A Perfect Priest Is Needed

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Leviticus 21:1-24. The LORD lays out requirements for priests who will serve in His presence. Because they draw near to God’s presence, they must take great care lest any uncleanness from death upon them profane God’s holiness. Requirements for a potential wife for a priest further emphasize that he must not be defiled as he serves as a mediator between God and sinners. Physical requirements serve a practical purpose and also emphasize the need for a perfect priest. As the people saw their priests throughout Israel’s history, the LORD was teaching them that none of those priests was the completely perfect priest, thus proclaiming Jesus as the Great High Priest who is the sinless mediator between God and men. “The Holiness of God” is a series on Sharper Iron that goes through the book of Leviticus. Because God desired to dwell among His sinful people for their blessing rather than their destruction, He gave them the sacrifices and regulations of Leviticus to bestow His holiness upon them. In this way, the book of Leviticus points us to Christ who is our great High Priest who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to make us holy before God.