Leviticus 21

v1-9: The priests were instructed to observe what they were to teach. This principle applies to those who teach God’s Word today. Those who “instruct others must set an example to others in their lives as well as in their teaching.” One area they are to do this, is by showing “patience in suffering, particularly when it is a matter of something as sensitive as the death of their close relative.”

v10-15: See how the Lord Jesus is the great High Priest. Unlike the high priest who was not allowed to go near any dead person, Jesus, “touched the dead body of Jairus’ daughter, the coffin of the widow’s son, and the grave of Lazarus, to show that he came to change the power of death, to take away it’s terrors, by breaking its power.” Like the high priest, Jesus’ service for God took “precedence even over family duties,” as He “did not stop preaching in order to speak with his mother and [brothers].” And as high priest could only marry a woman who is a virgin, so when the church is presented to Christ as His bride she will be a pure virgin.

v16-24: Under the gospel, physical deformities and natural infirmities do not prevent people “from offering spiritual sacrifices to God,” or if they are qualified, from serving as elders or deacons. Yet, “people who are spiritually blind, lame, and deformed are unworthy to be called Christians, and unsuitable to be employed as ministers.”

Leviticus 22

v1-16: “Eating holy things showed that someone was privileged to share in the atonement.” For this reason, only believers in the Lord Jesus, “those who are holy, at least by profession,” are invited to participate in the Lord’s Supper. “Holy things are for holy people.”

v17-33: “Great care was taken to examine all the animals that were brought to be sacrificed,” to make sure that “there was no defect or blemish in them.” The reason for this law was because all these sacrifices were to point to Christ as “a Lamb without blemish and without spot.” Christ was declared to be this by Pilate, when he said, “I find not fault in this man.”