PASTOR’S NOTES
And this is what you shall do to them to hallow them for ministering to Me as priests.”
For the last two weeks we have spoken about the weight of the position of High Priest and the overwhelming stress of shepherding the people of God. Aaron was the first ever high priest that carried the prayers and burdens of his people to the mercy seat of God. What a responsibility that must have been. One aspect of the position we have not spoken about however was the weight of standing before God!
To some degree we all have experienced stress of carrying the burdens of others. Those burdens might not have been thousands of people, but we can relate to the stress of being someone’s “go-to” person. However, can anyone today relate to standing before God? Can any of you that read this relate to having to prepare yourself for such an encounter? How could man do such a thing? Can you imagine not only carrying the weight of others around you, but also weight of ensuring that you were ready to meet God in the presence of all that God required?
We have been reading for chapters about the seriousness of being in the presence of God. Coming into the presence of God is a matter of life and death. Take a second and really put yourself in Aaron’s shoes and think about the position he is in! How could any man stand before God as Holy?
Right on schedule, the Gospel shines once again! The story of Aaron draws us to the need of Christ. Man could never hold or carry such a weight. How could he? As we have taught through for weeks now, the Old Testament gives greater strength to the New Testament. The gift of Jesus Christ is that He is our perfect weight carrier! He is our perfect shepherd and savior.
Not only are we not called to carry the prayers of others, but we are called to not fear our encounter with God!
SCRIPTURE TO GO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE
Read Zechariah 3:1-5 as this text is on the subject of the High Priest.
HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR BIBLES
Highlight verses 29-30 in chapter 29 of Exodus to prepare for Sunday’s message.