Dear Friends, continuing our “discovery series’ on the Priestly work of the Saviour, today let’s unearth yet another “treasure” involving the Saviour’s
2. Function
While men of the High Priestly clan of Kohath (second son of Levi-Genesis 46:11) had some functions to perform in the affairs of the Tabernacle, the indispensable one amongst them was that of carrying the Ark of the Covenant (Numbers 7:9). It needs to be noted here that while, objects of the Holy Tabernacle such as the Brazen altar, the Bronze laver could be transported by an oxcart, the Most Holy Ark of the Covenant (the title itself says it all) which symbolized the very covenant relationship between God and the chosen nation of Israel, had to be carried on the shoulders of those of the Priestly clan. Any volition of this Law would entail severe punishment, as King David tragically would “discover” later (1 Chronicles 13/15:11-15)!!!
In our prevalent dispensation of Grace, THE CROSS is the symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Christians. Period (Galatians 5:11 /6:14). In this context, would not tears of gratitude flow copiously from our eyes, when we consider the fact that our unparalleled High Priest too carried the New Testament “Ark of the Covenant” ie, THE CROSS on His shoulders?
The Almighty who can guide a King’s heart like a stream of water (Pro 21:1) had doubtless historically moved a Roman ruler’s heart too, to pass an edict on “the guilty” bearing their own cross, in order the situation described in the Scripture (John 19:17) comes to pass. OUR HIGH PRIEST HAD TO BEAR THE COVENANT SYMBOL OF THE GRACE DISPENSATION ON HIS SHOULDERS.
The genesis of many of the startling New Testament events can be traced to acts which symbolized them in the Old Testament. However to grasp the beautiful meaning behind those acts and connect them to New Testament epoch-making events we need to make the Psalmist’s prayer our own “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law.” (Psalm 119:18)
Prayer: Father, the Cross always makes deeply grateful. Thanks for revealing yet another related to it. Amen
Suresh Manoharan
(To access the entire “Of Indy, Community and the Almighty” mini-series, please click here.)