“But into the second went the High Priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the errors of the people” – Hebrews 9:7(KJV).
The office and the responsibilities of the priests and the high priest were clearly defined in the old covenant. There were many priests but only one high priest at a time. One has to come from the linage of Aaron to qualify for the priestly office. It was the duty of the priests to minister unto the Lord. Such worship, like the sacrifices often offered for sin or as a form of devotion, was the duty of the priest to perform. Their function was carried out daily in the first tabernacle (The Holy Place). Ministry in the Holy of Holies was the exclusive right of the high priest and this service was done yearly. To enable or qualify the high priest to enter the inner court (Holy of Holies) to offer sacrifice to God on behalf of the people he had to first offer sacrifice for himself for personal cleansing that will guarantee him access to the inner court. The high priest had to first appease God for his personal sins before making sacrifice for the people. This he did once every year. The blood of bulls and rams he offered merely covered man’s sins. It lacked the power to atone or to cleanse the man or to free man’s conscience from the guilt of sin. This was the best option under the law.
In Christ, the game changed. Jesus brought a paradigm shift. He came not with the blood of goat, bull or ram but with his precious blood. He didn’t need to offer blood first for himself because he came as the spotless Lamb of God. “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” – Hebrews 4:15 (NKJV). He did not have any need for another ram or lamb for he came as the Lamb of God. He did not need to perform the sacrifice once every year because with one sacrifice, he perfected forever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).
By reason of the eternal sacrifice, He granted access into the Holy of Holies to all saints introducing the priesthood of every believer and granting every believer access to the Holy of Holies. Our high priest went into the Holy of Holies alone, but now, we can all walk into the Holy of Holies with boldness bringing sacrifice of praise unto God. We no longer need the blood of bulls and ram but we have a new and living way by the blood of Jesus.
PRAYER: Thank you Jesus our great high priest
Rev. Vincent Diolu