In the Old Testament system of making oneself right before God, a priest was appointed who sought the appeasement of God by bringing the people’s sacrifices. Even the, the high priest was only allowed into the Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place, once per year and with proper precautions. A rope was tied to his back so that, if he faced sudden death, the other priests would be able to pull the body out. When Jesus came and died on the cross, however, he initiated a new way. No longer did people need to fear entering the presence of God because he was the new high priest, and he was the one who would go on our behalves as both the sacrifice and as the priest performing the sacrifice. Since we have this new high priest, we can approach God with confidence and with the knowledge that he has experienced the same temptations we experience but he did so without sinning. We don’t need to wait for the Day of Atonement or for another priest to go on our behalves because we have Jesus, and he has willingly paved the way. He now ministers at the throne of grace where every believer is invited to come boldly. No problem we face is too big, and no temptation is too strong that Jesus can’t offer us the mercy and grace that we need to persevere. No more daily and yearly sacrifices for sins are required – no more earthly priests are necessary. We can come now to Jesus who provides us with all we need.
Leave a Reply