27 May 2021 Our Lord Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest

‘This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds’,
he also adds,
‘I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’
Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.

Today we celebrate the recently (2018 England and Wales) instituted Feast of Jesus Christ as the Eternal High Priest. The role of priest was first conferred on Aaron, the brother of Moses. Priests were responsible for making intercession to God for the people by offering daily sacrifices. One priest was selected as High Priest. His role was to enter the most holy place once a year on the Day of Atonement to place sacrificial blood on the Ark of the Covenant as a sign of reparation for the sins of the people. In the reading from Hebrews, this type of sacrifice is compared to that made by Christ. The author explains that the sacrifice made by Christ was once and for all time. The regular sacrifices made under the Jewish Law could not remove sin whereas Christ, through his death and resurrection, took his place as High Priest at God’s right hand from where he intercedes for his people whose sins are forgiven.

• • Why did God choose to make a new covenant with the people of Israel?
  • How does it feel to know that Christ intercedes for us with God?

Pray for all who share the priestly ministry of Christ in bringing others nearer to God.