ANCHORED BEYOND THE VEIL There is a tradition among Christians which says that when the high priest entered to minister in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement, he had a rope tied around his waist whose end extended outside of the sanctuary so that in case he was eventually struck by God, the people waiting outside of the sanctuary could pull him out, or at least pull him out of the Holy of Holies – in front of the curtain in the Holy Place. Whether it is true or not, no one can say for sure. However, based on all the research I have made through the years, I myself rather think that this allegation, as logical as it may sound, is not supported by any historical and Biblical proofs. In the beginning of my faith, for a certain period of time I had accepted this to be true. But the more I studied the strict requirements of God for the appearance and outlook of the high priest, the more I understood that this would be unthinkable from God’s divine point of view. Every tiny detail in the apparel of the high-priest which had to do with his outer appearance was strictly profiled under the threat of death punishment. The high-priest had to put his faith in the blood of the sacrifice, in the sound of the golden bells, and in the holiness, beauty and glory of his priestly uniform, in order to appear before God. Bringing in such a unsanctified appendage which was out of the divine prescripts, as well as the high-priest himself being attached to it, would be a demonstrative act of doubt in the redemptive power of the blood and the holiness of his uniform. I doubt someone would dare risk his life by trying to do such a thing without being sure that God would allow that. The high-priest and his ministry in the Old Covenant were, of course, a visual demonstration of the work and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and of the effect that followed from them to our advantage. Everything that took place in the temple was only a shadow of the price which the true Sacrifice which was brought into the true heavenly Sanctuary would one day pay for our sins. That’s why, the high-priest himself had to be a representative of God’s holiness – recognized, accepted and approved. He was one whose ministry was completely accepted by God in favor of the people who were standing outside. We see that what the New Testament introduces to us in the book of Hebrews is an exact opposite of the above-mentioned popular allegation about the rope which was bound around the priest to connect him with the people outside. “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20) What we understand from this text is that instead of having the high priest anchored to the people in case of sin resulting in death and removing the dead body from the Holy of Holies, we the sinners, steadfast and firm in hope, are anchored to Christ our High Priest to be able to pass from this life of sin into the sphere of Holy of Holies. Instead of those who were “dead in their trespasses and sins” to draw a dead high priest out of the sphere of holiness and eternal life back to them, we see just the opposite – the One who “lives forevermore”, who is “Unapproachable Holiness”, and who lives inside the sanctuary, himself is drawing us to him in Christ. Through Christ’s Sacrifice “like that of a lamb without blemish or spot”, “but pure and holy,” He invited us and drew us in behind the curtain – to be close to Him, as it is said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3) And so, dear friends, “since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:19-23)
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 10:48:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015