The ceremonial laws continue to instruct us today in knowing the grace of God.

“Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Exodus 19.5, 6

As we have seen, the grace of God and the sinfulness of people are such that mediation is required for anyone to know the saving and sanctifying grace of God and His Covenant. Jesus Christ is the Mediator who brings us into God’s Covenant, having fulfilled all the righteous requirements of the Law and borne all its judgments in His own body on the cross. He is now Ruler, Priest, and Prophet over His people, and all look to Him, speaking by His Word and Spirit, to guide them into all truth, set them free from the power of sin, and work in and through them that which is pleasing to God.

But Jesus has appointed mediators among His people today – in the homes, parents; in the churches, elders and deacons; in the community, magistrates. These all are servants of Christ for the sake of His grace. They must, like the ancient rulers of Israel, be appropriately qualified, set apart for their work, skilled in the stewardship of grace entrusted to them, and faithful to do only what the Lord has revealed and nothing more.

God’s people are no more at liberty in our day to seek God’s grace by their own devices than the people of Israel were in theirs. God determines the terms of grace. He appoints the means whereby He will draw us more closely to Himself, surround us with His glory, and transform us to glorify Him in our lives. If we would know the grace of God in our day, therefore, we must learn from the ceremonial laws to seek the proper mediators, engage the appropriate means, and wait upon the Lord to work in and through us unto the praise of the glory of His grace.

For a fuller study of the pattern of worship revealed in Scripture, order the book, The Highest Thing, by T. M. Moore, from our online store. These studies and brief essays will help you to see how the pattern of sound worship, which began in the Law of God, comes to complete expression in the rest of Scripture. Pastors, we’re getting ready to start the next season of The Pastors’ Fellowship. Write to me today at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for information about how you join in these online discussions. Our theme for the coming series is “The Worldview of God’s Law.” There is no charge for participation, but you must reserve a place for these monthly gatherings. Subscribe to Crosfigell, the devotional newsletter of The Fellowship of Ailbe.