11. Priesthood: Access To God

We’re grateful you’re with us as we continue diving into the unified story of Scripture.



As we approach the topic of priesthood, we would be remiss not to mention that many readers reach Exodus, Leviticus, or even Hebrews and feel lost.



At first, it can seem difficult to understand why Scripture spends so much time on the details concerning the priesthood.



Yet, the New Testament repeatedly teaches these were not ends in themselves.



They were shadows pointing forward to Christ.



The priesthood, sacrifices, tabernacle, and holy places all anticipated a greater reality that would be fulfilled in Christ.



It’s essential to remember: God originally made mankind to dwell in his presence, represent him, serve before him, and extend his blessing.



In the beginning, Adam is given a priestly role. 



He is placed in Eden, a sacred space, to “work and keep” it. 



Sin brought exile from that sacred space and Cherubim were set in place to guard the way back to the tree of life.



Humanity’s priestly calling was corrupted but not erased. Access was restricted.



At Mount Sinai, Scripture's unified story reveals again the need for mediation when the people stand far off, and Moses draws near. 



Before Aaron’s Levitical priesthood is detailed, God declares Israel’s calling: a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Ex. 19:6)



Afterwards, Aaron and his sons are set apart to serve near God and come before God on behalf of Israel.



When the tabernacle is erected, Scripture reveals God dwells among his people, yet the structure itself teaches degrees of access: 



Outer Court (Where the people could approach)

↓



Holy Place (Where priests ministered before God)

↓



Most Holy Place (Where only the high priest entered, beyond the veil)



Why?



It was a living illustration that humanity could not freely enter God's presence.



The Holy Spirit was teaching through the structure itself that: the way was not yet fully open. (Heb. 9:8)



In Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement describes how one man (the high priest) would enter into the Most Holy Place on behalf of the many.



This would only happen once a year as the high priest entered beyond the veil with sacrificial blood.



Here we learn that access is real, but it’s still limited. 



The earthly high priest could never open the way for all to enter God's presence.



No earthly high priest could serve before God forever because priests die.



No animal sacrifice could take away the sins of the world, so sacrifices were repeated. 



The system itself bears witness that a greater priest and better sacrifice are needed to grant access. 



Here we discover something surprising.



According to the Law, only descendants of Aaron from the tribe of Levi could serve as priests.



Yet Jesus was not from Levi.



He came from the tribe of Judah.



In other words, under the old priesthood, Jesus had no claim to the office of priest.



So how can Jesus be our High Priest?



Hebrews explains that God established a greater priesthood — one not based on ancestry, but on God's own appointment.



Long before Christ came, King David prophesied:



"You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Ps. 110:4)



Unlike the Levitical priests who served temporarily and died, Jesus serves forever.



The old priesthood passed from father to son.



Christ's priesthood never passes away.



He was not appointed by genealogy, but by God's oath.



The old priesthood pointed forward.



Christ is the reality to which it pointed. 



Hebrews identifies this greater priesthood as "the order of Melchizedek." 



As the author himself admits, "about this we have much to say." (Heb. 5:11)



For now, it is enough to see that Jesus is not merely another priest in the line of Aaron. He is the eternal High Priest, appointed by God himself, whose priesthood will never pass away.



Christ accomplished what the tabernacle could only foreshadow.



As Scripture’s unified story unfolds, the author of Hebrews shows us:



Christ is the true High Priest. (Heb. 4:14)



The Mediator of a better covenant. (Heb. 8:6)



The once for all sacrifice. (Heb. 10:10)



The sprinkling of his blood is the way into God’s presence. (Heb. 10:19)



His broken flesh is the torn veil. (Heb. 10:20)



When Christ died, something extraordinary happened.



The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. (Matt. 27:51)



What the tabernacle had taught for centuries (that access remained restricted) was dramatically overturned.


Now, believers are restored as a royal priesthood.



In Christ, God’s people become what humanity was meant to be: image-bearing sons and daughters of God — holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices and proclaim his excellencies.



And at the end of this unified story, we read the beautiful words, “They will see his face…” (Rev. 22:4)



The story ends with no more curse, no more distance, and God’s children serving him, seeing his face and reigning forever.



Priesthood is not only the story of sinners gaining access again; it is the story of humanity’s original calling restored in Christ — living before God, serving in his presence, and reflecting his glory forever.