Our Great High Priest

October 21

Jeremiah 37-38

Psalm 118:15-21

Proverbs 25:16-17

Hebrews 4

Our Great High Priest

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin.  Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16 LSB

In ancient Israel, the high priest was the chief religious leader and the mediator between God and man.  He was responsible for sacrificing burnt offerings and sin offerings to atone for the sins of the people.  Once a year on Yom Kippur, he would enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the Temple and offer sacrifices and prayers for the forgiveness of the nation’s sins.  He was the only person ever allowed in the Holy of Holies.  His most important role was as the mediator between the people and God, representing them before God and praying on their behalf.  The high priest also served as a spiritual leader for the people giving guidance on spiritual matters and helping them understand the Law.  The author of Hebrews explained that Jesus has taken the role of the great high priest and He now serves as the mediator between man and God.  He became the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world once for all.  He is the Lamb who was sacrificed and He is the high priest who makes the sacrifice.  He sacrificed Himself paying the debt for sin.  A thick curtain separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary.  It was approximately 60 feet high and 30 feet wide made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn woven with fine linen.  It was massive and very thick.  At the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross, Matthew explains, “And behold, the veil of the sanctuary was torn in two from top to bottom: and the Earth shook and the rocks were split.” Matthew 27:51 LSB   The veil symbolized the separation between God and man.  The Holy of Holies was the place where God’s presence was believed to dwell.  When the veil was torn from top to bottom the barrier separating man from God was removed by God opening a new way for people to approach God directly through His Son, Jesus.  This eliminated the need for a human high priest and for the sacrificial system. 

Jesus is now our high priest who intercedes on our behalf.  Romans 8:34 explains, “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.” LSB   “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 LSB   He understands our weakness because He was tempted just as we are tempted and yet He did not sin.  We can draw near to God with confidence, not because of any merit on our part, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus who made the way for us to come to Him.  We can receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need because Jesus represents us before His Father and is our mediator.