June 22 Devotional
“…now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” — Hebrews 9:26 (KJV)
In the Old Testament, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle—and that too just once a year. He wasn’t allowed to go in without the blood of the sacrificial animal. He wore special robes known as garments of glory and beauty (Exodus 28:2,4). These included a white robe, a blue outer robe with golden bells and pomegranates along its hem, and the ephod—a richly woven garment made from gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen. Over the ephod, he wore a breastplate with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel, with the Urim and Thummim beneath it.
These garments symbolized divine majesty. But when it was time to present the blood offering to God on behalf of the people, the high priest removed these glorious garments and wore simple white linen. This signified that he had to humble himself—become like an ordinary man—before approaching God.
This points to the humility of our Lord Jesus Christ. He didn’t come as an angel, although He had the power to. Instead, He came as a man (Hebrews 2:16), just like us. Why? Because angels cannot die, and they cannot understand human suffering. But Jesus became like us so that He could be a merciful and faithful High Priest on our behalf.
Every year on the Day of Atonement, the Israelites gathered from distant places. They remained outside the tabernacle, confessing their sins while placing their hands on the sacrificial animal. This animal symbolized Jesus Christ, who took the punishment we deserved. Once slain, the high priest would carry the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle it on the mercy seat. Then, divine fire from heaven consumed the blood, showing that God had accepted the sacrifice and forgiven the people.
The high priest would then return and declare that he had seen God’s acceptance and that their sins were forgiven. That moment was the most joyful day for the entire nation.
Yet, all these Old Testament rituals were just a shadow of what was to come. The perfect sacrifice is the Lord Jesus Himself. Through His own blood, He made a way to completely cleanse and perfect all who come to Him.
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Let this truth remind us today: we are made whole not by religious acts, but by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
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