TUESDAY October 21, 2025

Called Into the Priesthood

Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.  And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
Hebrews 5:3-4

From past devotionals, we learned in Hebrews 1-2, that Christ is greater than the prophets or angels. In Hebrews 3-4, the writer of the book of Hebrews showed us that Christ is greater than even Moses. Do you remember what God gave Moses when he went up to Mount Sinai? God gave Moses the Ten Commandments––the Law––but it is Christ who fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17).

In Exodus 28:1, God called Aaron, Moses’ brother, to become Israel's first high priest: “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” The Levitical order of priests began with Aaron and his sons.

On the Day of Atonement, Aaron, as high priest, would go into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of an animal sacrifice on the Mercy Seat for himself and for the nation of Israel. Yet Christ is greater than Aaron’s Levitical priesthood. Jesus atoned for our sin once and for all:

1 John 2:1-2 NLT: ...if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our relationship with God is founded upon the atoning sacrifice of Christ. Sadly, the Jews failed to recognize their Messiah and His atoning sacrifice for sin. Like many people in the world, they try to make up for their sin by doing good works. But what does the Bible say? For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is as plain as day––to be clearly understood––salvation by grace.

I have no hope but in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!