The High Priest

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.  (Hebrews 7:26-28, NASB)

The author of Hebrews compares the high priests under the Law of Moses with the High Priest under the New Covenant.  

The high priest of the Old Testament was required “to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people.”  He had to do this day after day.  Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest was required to enter the Holy of Holies, past the veil in the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, to make atonement on behalf of the people.  He took the blood of a sacrificed animal with him to sprinkle on top of the mercy seat, which was atop the ark of the covenant.  He was to perform this ritual year after year.  The high priest was a sinner, just like you and me.  “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak.”

Our Savior, on the other hand, led a perfect life, free from sin, so He would be an acceptable sacrifice to the Father.  Jesus Christ is the spotless, unblemished Lamb of God.  He was and is our High Priest, “holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.”  Jesus sacrificed Himself once and for all, He didn’t have to do this daily, like the sinners under the Law, but “the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”

During this period of Lent, let’s remember the sacrifice of the Great High Priest, more perfect than the high priests of old.  Jesus “loved me, and gave Himself up for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)