The human and Divine priesthood-comparison.
Between the priesthood of Aaron and that of the Lord Jesus Christ there are not only points of contrast (see above) but also of resemblance. The "holy garments" in which the human priest was attired supplied marked and intentional suggestions of the attributes and the work of the Divine. Thus we are reminded by Aaron's appearance of—
I. HIS PERSONAL HOLINESS. "The stuff of all of them was linen, and … must be understood to have been white." This was associated with the idea of bodily cleanness, and hence with righteousness of soul (see Revelation 19:8). The High Priest of our profession was he "that loved righteousness," of whom it was true that "the scepter of righteousness was the scepter of his kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8, Hebrews 1:9).
II. HIS ALL-SUFFICIENT STRENGTH. The girdle with which Aaron was girded (Leviticus 8:7) was suggestive of strength, activity, readiness for the appointed work. To "gird up the loins" was to be prepared for immediate and effective action. Christ is he who always stands ready and mighty to save; prepared at the moment of our readiness to put forth his arm of power, and to redeem us with the "saving strength of his right hand."
III. HIS REPRESENTATIVE CHARACTER. On the breastplate of the ephod (Leviticus 8:8) were the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. With these on his person he appeared before God in the holy place; evidently representing them and appearing on their behalf. Our Divine Redeemer, assuming our human nature, suffered and died in our stead, and now "appears in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
IV. HIS SPIRITUAL FITNESS FOR HIS GREAT WORK. The "Urim and Thummim" (Leviticus 8:8) signified "lights" and "perfections;" they were the means by which Aaron received inspiration from Jehovah. Our Lord was one "in whom dwelleth all the fullness of the godhead bodily" (Colossians 1:9), particularly (see context) Divine wisdom. He is—not merely has, but is—"the truth" (John 14:6), and He is "the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30; Colossians 2:8). He who, in the exercise of absolute wisdom, knows the mind of the Father, and "knows what is in man" also, is that omniscient One who is perfectly equipped for the wondrous problem he has undertaken to work out.
V. THE FINAL TRIUMPH OF HIS CAUSE. "He put the mitre upon his head" (Leviticus 8:9). The high priest of Israel had a touch of royalty—he wore a crown upon his head. The High Priest of man is royal also. "Upon his head are many crowns." He is "exalted to be a prince" as well as a Saviour. And he is "able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Philippians 3:21; see Philippians 2:9, Philippians 2:10).
VI. HIS ULTIMATE DESIGN. "Upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate" (Leviticus 8:9), and on this golden diadem were inscribed the sacred, significant words, "Holiness to the Lord" (Exodus 28:36). Did not this sentence, placed in the forefront of the high priest's mitre, signify that the great end of his ministrations was the establishment among all the tribes of Israel of" Holiness to the Lord"? The purpose for which he was appointed would not be attained until that great and noble aim was reached. For that he lived and wrought. That, too, is the end of the Divine priesthood. Christ came to "put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26), to establish on the earth that kingdom of God which is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
Let us learn—
1. The exceeding greatness of our privilege. In Jesus Christ himself (and in his salvation) are these great excellencies; they were only upon and outside the Hebrew priest.
2. The corresponding guilt of