Leviticus 21

“None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a blemish may approach to offer the bread of his God …” (v17).  The priests who served at the Temple had to be physically healthy, because their role was symbolic, and imperfections and disease were symbols of a world poisoned by sin.  The Israelites used rituals to distinguish between the clean and unclean, holy and unholy, in order to understand God’s original intention for a good world. 

“I am the Lord who sanctifies them” (v23).  Jesus our High Priest didn’t have to be physically perfect, because his holiness was more than symbolic.  He put on our brokenness and sins and brought us into God’s presence, sanctifying everyone who believes in him.