“Like priest, like people” is not only an aphorism, but a solid statement of biblical truth. Aaron wore the names of the tribes of Israel on his shoulders and on his breast (Exodus 28:9–30). The symbolism is beautiful and meaningful. Israel was effectively represented before God on the strength and love of the high priest.
Strength and love are the twin pillars of the present intercessory ministry of Christ for me. Just as Aaron stood for Israel in the presence of God, so Jesus Christ stands for me. All the blessings that God has poured, and is pouring, upon His Son are meant for me also. He has “blessed [me] with every spiritual blessing,” not because I am I, but because I am in Christ and Christ is in me (Ephesians 1:3). It is through Christ that I am entitled to receive from the Father all I need for a victorious pilgrim journey. In that sense He is my strength, my ticket to acceptance, my right to be favored by the Most High God.
Not only am I upheld by His strength, but also by His love. How long would I tolerate a resentful High Priest, doing His duty heartlessly and without compassion? Aaron carried the names of the tribes on his breastplate as a sign that his intercession was never to be without feeling, or else it would be dead intercession. Jesus Christ intercedes for me because He loves me; and He intercedes successfully for me because He died for me. My welfare before God’s throne is pursued with the intensity of a mother for her child, of a king for his son. When strength and love are coupled in the person of Jesus Christ, I am perfectly represented, perfectly spoken for. No one could plead my case any better than the One who died to give me birth.
“But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises” (Hebrews 8:6).
Daily with the King 