For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf.
Hebrews 9:24 (ESV)
A large portion of the latter half of Exodus is devoted to the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, as well as the establishment of the priesthood. And much of Leviticus is concerned with the sacrifices that are to be offered by the priests at the Tabernacle. Included in these sacrifices were those that dealt with sin.
A Greater Reality
But the author of Hebrews tells us that these were only a copy and a shadow of a greater reality (Heb. 8:5). A reality that is found in Jesus. He is our great high priest, illustrated by the descendants of Aaron who served in the Tabernacle (Heb. 9:11). As the high priest under the old covenant would bring the blood of a goat and bull into the most holy place each year to offer an atoning sacrifice, so Jesus entered into the heavenly holy place with His own blood to atone for our sins. Not on an annual basis, but once for all time.
It is easy today to dismiss the priesthood, sacrifices, and tabernacle of the old covenant as no longer applicable. And it is true that with the coming of the new covenant, inaugurated by the blood of Jesus, these practices no longer have value. But the ritual practices of the old covenant are illustrations of a greater reality. They can help us to understand what Jesus has done for us.
As you read the description of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16, you should be able to picture Jesus as the high priest who took the blood of the sacrifice into the most holy place. But He is also the sacrifice that was offered. It was His blood that was brought into the most holy place and sprinkled on the mercy seat. He is our great high priest. And His blood atoned for our sin.
