6 Words That Will Change Your LifeSample

A coworker of mine once went to her daughter’s Back to School night at a local public high school. The English Literature teacher told the parents that if their teens weren’t familiar with the Bible, they should go buy their students a children’s book of Bible stories.  

How could this public school teacher so boldly advocate that her students read stories from the Bible? It’s virtually impossible, she explained, to understand the great classics of Western literature without some Bible literacy, as many are filled with Biblical allusions, symbolism and Christ-types. The multi-layered Biblical richness threaded throughout these literary works can only be unlocked by a reader who knows enough to recognize them. 

The author of the Bible—God Himself—also threaded some amazing multi-layered meaning across the 66 books of the Bible that were written by 40 different men, across a period of 1,500 years.   

In Old Testament times, the high priest served as an intermediary between God and the people for the forgiveness of their sins. Each year, on the Day of Atonement, only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, behind the veil of the temple, which separated sinful man from the presence of a holy God. There, in this sacred, holy, set-apart place, the priest sprinkled the blood of sacrificed animals on the mercy seat, God’s throne. 

With the coming of Christ and His atoning blood sacrifice on the cross, we see how Jesus became the “once for all” sacrifice for the sins of all people everywhere. At the very moment of Christ’s death, the veil of the temple was ripped apart, dramatically symbolizing how Jesus opened the way for us to receive forgiveness for sins.  

Aaron’s priesthood would stop. But Jesus’ priesthood will not. Aaron’s priesthood was temporal. Jesus’ priesthood is eternal. Aaron’s priesthood could only temporarily cover over sin for a short time. Christ’s priesthood ensured that sin is removed forever. 

Jesus is the only intermediary we need to approach the mercy seat of God Almighty, and enter into a restored relationship with the holy and perfect One.  

“…Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.” 

Better than anything Aaron can offer. 

As followers of Christ, you and I “have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Take a few moments, close your eyes and experience what it feels like deep in your soul to rest in this firm, safe, secure place. Thank Jesus for being your anchor.  

Pray for someone you know who doesn’t have Jesus as their anchor. Look for a way to open a spiritual dialogue with them. Perhaps you could start by asking them this simple question: “If there is a God, what do you think He wants from us?”