(1.) The first point in which the Levitical priests typified Christ was in their possession of the same common human nature as those in whose behalf they acted.  “For both he that sanctifieth [Christ] and they who are sanctified [believers] are all of one [one Father, having a common sonship as members of the same family of Adam]:  for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Heb. 2:11); and again:  “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same” (ver. 14); and still further:  “Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren; that he might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted” (ver. 17, 18; and compare 4:15).  Accordingly the priests who typified Christ were taken from among men, not angels; and “able to have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way,” being themselves “compassed with infirmity.”  Heb. 5:1, 2.

(2.) The Levitical priests, again, were appointed to their office by God:  “And no man taketh this honor upon himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.  So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten thee.  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec.”  Heb. 5:4-6.

(3.) The Levitical priests, once more, were mediators between God and the people.  After the establishment of their priesthood, no Israelite or sojourner in the land could approach God with sacrifices and oblations in his own right, and be his own priest.  He must come to God through the priesthood of his appointment—­an expressive type of the great truth announced by Christ; “I am the way, and the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”  John 14:6.

(4.) Finally, the Levitical priests were not only mediators between God and men, but mediators through propitiatory sacrifices.  They were ordained to “offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.”  Heb. 5:1; 8:3.  “Wherefore,” adds the writer, “it is of necessity that this man [Christ] have somewhat also to offer.”  Heb. 8:3.  They offered the blood of bulls and goats, which made expiation only in a typical way; he offered to God his own blood as a real propitiation for sin.  Heb. 7:27; 9:12-28; 10:10-14.

The points of dissimilarity between the Levitical priests and Christ, as stated in the epistle to the Hebrews, all serve to illustrate the superior dignity and efficacy of his priesthood.  They were sinful men, and as such needing to offer sacrifice first for their own sins (chap. 5:3); but he is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens” (chap. 7:26).  They