Christ is the only solution, the only cure, for impure religion. God’s people needed a king, and not just any, but a king who would lead his people in righteousness. We needed a king who would know and love the commands of God, and the proper worship of God. Was it Saul? No. King David? He knew and loved the commands of God, and the proper worship of God. He corrected much of the idolatry in the land. But not forever. Then a whole bunch of kings followed, most of whom led the people deeper into idolatry. Some did honour the Lord. But their influence was only temporary. Another king was needed. And one was promised, from David’s own loins, whose kingdom would be forever. That king came, in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s forever King.

He knew and loved and kept all of God’s commandments. And, he never failed to offer pure and holy worship to the Lord. His religion was faultless. And full of a heart that burned for the honour of his Father. He is the king who became the servant. Yes, he’s the king who became the ultimate priest, after the order of Melchizedek, not Levi. He submitted himself to God’s will, for us. We too were under the curse. But the Lord did not just lift the curse; he put it down again—on his own Son. He died for our stealing, our idolatry, our self-righteousness, our self-serving, our religiosity, yes for all our sins! So that we might be free forever. And God showed his acceptance of the worship-ful sacrifice of that priest by raising him from the dead. This is the priest and king we needed.

We need his works, his righteousness. We need his blessing. And the only way to receive that is by faith. It’s only by faith in Christ that you can say, Now I know that God will bless me because I know that Christ is my high priest, and also my sacrifice. Peace and blessing are found only in Christ.

Our greatest defence, or offence, against the temptation of impure worship is Christ. We are to find great delight in him and in his revelation. We are to look to him, find our peace and satisfaction in him, and thereby live lives and offer pure religion that is honouring to him, the everlasting King.