Channels, Spring 2018

Page 6 Pape • The Accomplishment of Biblical Theology on Atonement Type of Priesthood “The priesthood highlights the need of a mediator to go between the people and Yahweh to offer sacrifices on their behalf.” 19 This role of mediator is seen in Leviticus 16 for, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was not only commanded to make atonement on behalf of the sanctuary and the people but also for his own sin. “Thus, the phrase ‘for himself’, used seven times, underscores the absolute necessity that the ranking clergyman first rectify his own errors.” 20 Hebrews 5:1,3 says of the high priestly office, “every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer sacrifices for sins…[for] he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.” The role of the Levitical high priest on the Day of Atonement was to mediate between the people and God; however, atonement could not be accomplished or mediated unless he first had been purified from his sin. It is evident that, “complete physical cleanliness was necessary before he entered the heart of God’s sanctuary, symbolizing the complete inner purity required of this servant of God.” 21 Therefore, this necessitates a need for a perfect high priest of a new order who would not need atonement “for himself” but could always enter into the Holy of Holies to present a perfect sacrifice on behalf of the people. For “if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood, what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek.” 22 However, the imperfection of the Levitical priestly order is highlighted by its own need for atonement. Through Jesus, God inaugurated a new and better priestly order. Similar to the atoning sacrifice, the priesthood of the New Covenant makes the Aaronic priesthood of the Mosaic Covenant obsolete. “Jesus’ office as high priest does not depend on lineage or law. It is directly and solely by divine appointment.” 23 So, his priesthood is better than that of the Levites because of his perfection and permanence. Psalm 110:4, speaking of Jesus, says, “you are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” This prophecy about the type of Jesus’ priestly order foreshadows the eternal nature of his priesthood in addition to the fact that he is a “priest of the Most High God.” 24 Additionally, “he has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did once for all when he offered up himself.” 25 Hebrews 7:23 says, “the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.” Christ has an eternal 19 Michael G. McKelvey, “Leviticus” A Biblical-Theological Introduction to the Old Testament: The Gospel Promised (Wheaton: Crossway, 2016) p. 103 20 Victor P. Hamilton, Handbook on the Pentateuch (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2005) p. 273 21 Derek Tidball, “The Message of Leviticus” The Bible Speaks Today (Downers Grove: IVP, 2005) p. 190 22 Hebrews 7:11 23 R.J. McKelvey, Pioneer and Priest: Jesus Christ in the Epistle to the Hebrews (Eugene: Pickwick Publications, 2013) ch. 5 24 Hebrews 7:1 cf. Gen 14:18 25 Hebrews 7:27