“We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10).
The altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle and temple was an incredibly busy place. Only the duly authorized temple personnel–the priests and Levites currently serving–had God’s authority (I.e., permission) to offer up the sacrifices and eat the prescribed portions of the different offerings.
When King Uzziah went to the temple and sought to transgress God’s specific instructions about His holy habitation, Azariah and eighty valiant priests withstood him, saying: “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God” (2 Chronicles 26:18). The leprosy which immediately broke out on Uzziah’s forehead (2 Chronicles 26:19) clearly proved that he had no right (I.e., authority from God) to serve at this altar of the temple. The action Uzziah sought to perform was “various and strange” (see last Friday’s post).
In like manner, there is an altar in God’s New Testament temple–the church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Here, God’s royal priesthood–all Christians (1 Peter 2:5, 9)–enjoy the privilege (given by divine permission) to approach God via the sacrifice, atonement, and pardon attained by the Lamb of God. By Christ’s sacrifice, every Christian enjoys all spiritual blessings. He can draw near to God and God will draw near to him (James 4:8).
Vastly superior to the physical altar in Jerusalem’s temple is the Christian’s altar. In A. D. 70 the Jews’ altar became extinct. No so with the altar of Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever!
