Our Great High Priest (4)

Hebrews 10:19–22 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,

20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Harper’s Bible Dictionary Atonement, Day Of

Atonement, Day of (Heb. Yom Kippur), a fast day on which no work was done, observed in Israel ten days after the fall new year (Lev. 23:27–32) to atone for the sins of the past year. An offering of incense was made by the high priest in the innermost chamber of the Temple, the Holy of Holies, the only time in the year he entered there. The sins of the people were symbolically placed upon the ‘scapegoat,’ which was driven into the wilderness. Hebrews 8–9 draw heavily on the Day of Atonement to explain Christ’s sacrifice

“Since we have” (Benefits granted to Christians)

authorization for access to the heavenly sanctuary (19)

Certainty created by Christ’s definitive sacrifice

Grounds for us to “draw near” to God continually (22)

How? Through the blood of Jesus (19) — ATONEMENT

This WAY is “new and living” — meaning that it previously was not available/did not exist. Not a way of death (proverbs 14) but a living way that is open through the “curtain” — reference to the curtain hanging before the holy of holies to restrict access (guarded). God is no longer “hidden” or “inaccessible”

and a great high priest (21) over God’s dwelling.

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/12/technology/bitcoin-passwords-wallets-fortunes.html

Romans 11:33 ESV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!