At one time or another, we have all been outside on a sunny day only to see our shadow on the ground.  And while our shadows might look similar to what we look like, we all know that are shadows are not really us; rather, they point to us or they show others that we are really there.  On a sunny day, our shadows simply point to the fact that we are really standing outside in the sun.  Shadows point to a reality.

In the same way, Hebrews 10:1 says, “For since the law has but a shadow of the true things to come instead of the true form of these realities…”  The writer of Hebrews says that the Old Testament law is a shadow, and in this case, a foreshadowing of a reality to come.  That reality, of course, is fulfilled in the Lord Jesus Christ.

How does this apply to today’s message?  As you know, in our Advent series we are learning how Jesus fulfilled the offices and roles of Prophet, Shepherd, Priest, and King.  Today, as we look at “Priest,” we will find that the work of the Priest in the Tabernacle (specifically in Leviticus 16) was nothing but a shadow…it was a shadow that points us to the reality of the Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.

From these texts today, we will find…

1. The Shadow of the Tabernacle and the Reality of the Presence of Christ
2. The Shadow of Aaron and the Reality of Priesthood Christ
3. The Shadow of Bulls and Goats and the Reality of the Sacrifice and Forgiveness of Christ

Also, we will learn that the Jesus is both the subject and object of the Priesthood.  (Do you remember two weeks ago when we learned that Jesus is both the subject and object of Prophecy?  We learned that the Old Testament prophets were just the subjects and never the objects.  They were “the Revealers,” but they were never “the Revealed.”  Jesus, as Prophet, is both “the Revealer” and He is “the Revealed.”)  It’s the same thing with the Priesthood.  The Old Testament priests only “offered up sacrifices,” but they were never “the sacrifice.”  Jesus both “offers up a sacrifice” and He “is the sacrifice.”  He is both subject and object.

Praise God for the finished work of our Great High Priest, Jesus!

Rev. Adam Mumpower, Senior Pastor