By R. L. Wilson: The Old Testament book of Leviticus lays out detailed instructions for the High Priest on how he is to prepare and present the offerings to the Lord. The details included the specific clothing he wore, how he should wash himself before putting on the garments, the type of animals were to be used for the ritual, and how each was to be treated. Only after he had successfully completed all of those preparations could he enter the Holy of Holies and apply the blood of the sacrifice to the Mercy Seat. This ritual was repeated every year.
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is not only qualified to be our High Priest, but He has also, by His own blood, completed the final sacrifice for our sins. Now, as our High Priest, He enters heaven to present His own blood to the Father.
Parenthetically, in his book Jesus Ascended, Scott Douglas makes an interesting observation. Remember that the Mercy Seat was essentially the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. The lid also contained two cherubim, one on either side of the Mercy Seat. Compare that to John 20:12 where Mary “saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.” Coincidence? Perhaps, but it’s a compelling visual of His blood having been presented to the Father.
The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is not only qualified to be our High Priest, but He has also, by His own blood, completed the final sacrifice for our sins. Now, as our High Priest, He enters heaven to present His own blood to the Father.
Parenthetically, in his book Jesus Ascended, Scott Douglas makes an interesting observation. Remember that the Mercy Seat was essentially the lid of the Ark of the Covenant. The lid also contained two cherubim, one on either side of the Mercy Seat. Compare that to John 20:12 where Mary “saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.” Coincidence? Perhaps, but it’s a compelling visual of His blood having been presented to the Father.
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