Love Beyond the Regulations of the High Priest. (Leviticus 21)

In Leviticus 20, the regulations that the priests must follow are recorded.

Among them, while reading the regulation that the "high priest" should observe, I was reminded of the love of the Holy Trinity, Jesus Christ, and pondered the grace in the words for a long time, filling my soul to the brim.

The high priest, who was the top among the brother priests, had to be anointed with oil on his head and be dressed in a special and distinct garment, so he could not loosen his hair, tear his clothes, or mourn. (Leviticus 21:10, New International Version)

The high priest had to be anointed with oil on his head and wear a distinctive garment. He could not loosen his hair, tear his clothes, or mourn. Therefore, Aaron could not mourn for his dead sons while offering other sacrifices to the Lord.

When Jesus Christ was incarnated and came down from heaven, the anointing of the Holy Spirit descended on his head like a dove. He, who had to wear the most splendid and special garment, was born as a very ordinary son of a carpenter and wore ordinary clothes that anyone would wear. And he surpassed the regulation of the high priest that he could not mourn, shedding tears and mourning over the death of Lazarus.

He shall not approach any dead bodies. He must not make himself unclean, even for his father or mother. (Leviticus 21:11, New International Version)

He must not approach any corpse, which is a rule that the high priest must observe... But Jesus Christ approached me, who was rotting with sin and filth, with a love that surpassed the regulation of the high priest, and extended his hand to me, embracing me in his warm arms.

The high priest must never leave the sanctuary. He must not defile the sanctuary where he serves the Lord. He is holy because he was anointed with the oil of the Lord and appointed as a high priest. I am the Lord. (Leviticus 21:12, New International Version)

The high priest was a most holy and distinct being who must never leave the sanctuary. The sanctuary where our Lord was present is the most high and holy sanctuary in heaven.

But... but... only to save me alone, because of his love that surpassed the regulation of the high priest, Jesus Christ did not hesitate to leave the sanctuary of heaven and come down to this low and earthly land. Of course, Jesus never left the sanctuary even once. During his short life on this earth, eating and drinking with sinners, he always lived in the sanctuary of his Father's garden...

"The high priest must take a virgin as his wife and must not marry a widow, divorced woman, or woman defiled by prostitution, but only a virgin from his own people, so he will not defile his offspring among his people. I am the Lord who makes him holy." (Leviticus 21:13-15, NIV)

Although it was a regulation for the high priest to not marry a widow, divorced woman, or woman defiled by prostitution, Jesus sought out those who were rejected by society and comforted their wounded hearts.

The widow who gave her small offering...

Mary, the prostitute who anointed Jesus with expensive perfume...

The One who reached out to those whom no one else dared to approach and touched their lives with compassion and healing was the beloved Jesus whom I love.

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The love that Jesus showed me transcends the law.

I am reminded of the parable of the Good Samaritan. The priest and the Levite passed by a dying man on the road, but the Good Samaritan showed him mercy and saved his life.

That Good Samaritan is a symbol of Jesus, whom I believe in and follow, full of love and compassion. Jesus did not use the law as a measure, nor did he distinguish people by it. Rather, he broke down the high barrier of the law and came to us first with love. We did not love God first, but it was the Lord who loved us first.

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Beloved Lord,

Even the most stringent regulation of the high priest could not stop your love.

As the King of Kings, you have given up all the regulations and dignity to save just one person, and that is how precious it is to you. In the vast universe, in the endless expanse of time, this tiny sinner who cannot even be seen is inscribed with an unforgettable name on the very heart of the Creator God. No language can express such love. All I can say is thank you, and that I love you. There is no other way to express your love, Lord.

Today, I pray that I may enjoy the overflowing love of God pouring into my life and become a better servant who loves more and serves more. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen!