Names of Jesus Advent: High Priest (November 29)
This advent blog series will help draw you closer to the Person of Jesus, the lover of your soul.
November 29: High Priest
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)
Perhaps High Priest is one of the more difficult names of Jesus to understand. Chances are, if you are reading this blog, you have no need for a biblical high priest in regard to your relationship with God. We understand that Jesus, our Savior, made a way for us to have perfect union with God. We can boldly enter His presence. The veil has been torn. The separation between God and man rent.
To understand the richness of this name of Jesus, we must look at what a high priest is.
The high priest was of the utmost importance to the religious life of Israel. The high priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Consider for a moment having no access to God’s manifest presence outside of once a year!
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood of a sacrifice for the atonement for the sins of Israel. No ‘unholy’ person could enter the Holy of Holies. Even for the high priest, there was an elaborate week-long series of religious rituals and ceremonies to be done before he was sufficiently ‘purified’ to enter God’s presence.
When Jesus came incarnate, He came fully God and fully man.
He lived as we do, yet without sin. He was the sacrifice for our sins. He was the perfect High Priest to enter God’s presence on our behalf. He understands us perfectly and shows us a better way.
Quite literally, we now have greater access to God than the high priests ever did.
This Advent season may we contemplate the beauty and wonder of Jesus, our High Priest.
If you would like to display a 30-day Advent wall calendar in your home, check this out!
Keep Jesus as the center of Christmas with these easy-to-read, simple printable cards that look beautiful. You can display them on your wall, string them across the mantle, or use them as unique tree ornaments.
Enjoy the printable cards and a devotional pdf for this Advent season!