Day 6 – Order of the Priesthood (Part 2)
“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.” Luke 1:8-9 NKJV
At the time Luke describes, there would have been over 20,000 priests in service to the Temple. To be drawn by lot to burn incense was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can only imagine the excitement Zechariah must have felt, or perhaps some anxiety? He had prepared his whole life for this special moment, and now it was upon him. He might have practiced repeatedly to make sure he did everything exactly right, going over each detail in his head as he prepared to enter the Holy Place to burn incense before the Lord. As the incense was burned with fire taken from the altar of burnt offerings, our prayers today must be kindled with heaven’s grace.
As I studied the priesthood, I wondered: why did God raise Jesus to be in the order of Melchizedek and not from the established priesthood of Israel? The old covenant represented the law, but Jesus blessed us with a new covenant in Matthew 26:17-28, using bread and wine before giving Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for sin. While sacrifices according to the order of Aaron foreshadowed Jesus’ fulfilment of the law, that earthly priesthood could never permanently forgive sin.
Without writing a single word about Jesus’ birth yet, Luke already established the distinct differences and importance of these priesthoods and covenants, beautifully outlining the central theme of his Gospel: Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice to atone for our sin.
Pray with me: Father, thank You that the Good News of Jesus’ sacrifice is already clear in the order of the priesthoods. Thank You that Jesus is the forever High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, just as You established, and that only through Him and because of His sacrifice our sins are forgiven. Thank You, Lord, for the privilege to serve our High Priest in the new order of the new covenant under grace. Amen. ©
Love, Pastor Iriza
