Jesus the new High Priest

Hebrews 9:11-14 But the Messiah has appeared, high priest of the good things that have come. In the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands (that is, not of this creation), He entered the most holy place once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow, sprinkling those who are defiled, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of the Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve the living God?

• High priest offering for atonement (Lev 16) and Jesus's high priestly prayer (Jn 17):

  • for himself (Lev 16:11,17 & Jn 17:1,5)

  • for the high priest's house i.e. priests (Lev 16:11,17); for Jesus'disciples (Jn 17:9,10,12)

  • for the assemply of Israel (Lev 16:15,17); for the believers of Jesus (Jn 17:21-22)

• Entered the tabernacle to make sacrifice to God: only high priests were allowed to enter once a year on the Day of Atonement and make sin and burnt offerings (Lev 16:3) with blood sprinkled on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant (Lev 16:14); Jesus's sacrifice of his own blood shed on the cross (Col 1:20) was completed on entering heaven (Heb 9:11-12)

• Atoned for the sins of all the people: on the Day of Atonement for all Israel's sins in that year (Lev 16:34); Jesus's one sacrifice for the eternal redemption of all (Heb 9:12, 10:10)

• Freedom granted when the high priest died: anyone staying in the city of refuge due to accidentally killing someone could return home (Num 35:28); Jesus's death brought us freedom from sin (Rom 8:2)