I often wondered as I grew up why the Old Testament was so important. I thought that the New Testament was something to focus on because of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. All that He began, the Christian life, and eternal life. But I’ve grown to appreciate and see how important Old Testament Scripture actually is. It comes down to this: The entirety of the Old Testament continually points to Jesus in the New Testament.

Today we’re looking in the Old Testament Book of Exodus. Exodus is a Book that talks about getting up and getting out. It describes a series of God’s calls and the responses of His people. Despite the continual evidence of God’s power and love, the people struggle to have faith. They complain and doubt continually. They even began to yearn for yester years instead of future promises. Yes, God provided for them in every way, but He also would need to judge their disobedience and unbelief.

There are so many places in Exodus where we see evidence of Jesus (1446 years before he was even born). The priesthood is the one example we’ll look at today. The priesthood starts in Exodus 29 where they are set up to serve the people. Through these priests relationship with God could be restored. Remember, no sinful person is worthy to approach a perfect and Holy God, thus the people’s sin prevented them from relationship with Him. The priests performed the daily sacrifices as a substitute for all their sins. They were the people’s representatives before God.

What does this have to do with us? Well, it’s very good news. The priesthood found in Exodus points all of us to the coming of Jesus. He becomes our High Priest. We no longer have to go to other priests to have them sacrifice animals on our behalf. There’s no more blood. Jesus became the final sacrifice on the cross and now represents all of us who believe. Because of Him, we are now declared, “Not guilty” and can have full relationship with Him. May He be glorified because of it.