Preeminent Priest

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after… to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).  “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” (Proverbs 2:5).  “But He was wounded for our transgressions… when Thou shalt make His soul an offering for sin… He shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied: by His knowledge shall My righteous Servant justify many; for He shall bear their iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5-11).  “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1). 

The preeminent Priest that our Lord has required

Is found in the Savior for us sacrificed.  
There’s only one thing in His temple desired:
To see and to ponder the beauty of Christ. 

His beauty is great in these shadows we trace,

For Christ is depicted by all that’s within.
Behold there the Priest in the Most Holy Place,
Who offers the blood, the atonement for sin.

The Lord gives us knowledge to now understand

That all of these things in the temple portray
Our Lord Jesus Christ and His salvation planned
For He is the beauty these shadows display.

How great is His beauty!  How wondrous these lessons

Which all point to Christ and His salvation wrought! 
Christ Jesus was wounded for all our transgressions,
So He is the Priest and the Sacrifice brought!

Behold on the altar our Savior’s travail,

Foreseeing the cross where He suffered and died. 
We see there His purpose He knew would not fail
That He would accomplish and be satisfied!

O Lord, we consider Your work as High Priest,

And we are astounded as we see Your beauty!
O may our devotion to You be increased
As we are constrained by Your love in our duty!