THE MOST HOLY PLACE

THE MOST HOLY PLACE
Heb 9:1-10
"But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood…." (v.7).

IN THE TEMPLE OF THE JEWS, THERE was one place which no one was ever allowed to enter except the high priest. This was the Most Holy Place (v.3). Even then, he could step into it only once a year. The occasion was the annual Day of Atonement, described for us in Leviticus 16.

The purpose of the Day is to atone for the sins of the whole nation. The high priest rises up early in the morning, washes to cleanse himself and dons his impressive, ceremonial clothes. He first discharges his normal duties by burning the morning incense, offering the morning sacrifice, and trimming the seven-branched lampstand. Then he changes his robes of simple white linen, and washing again to cleanse himself.

A bullock is brought to him. He places his hands on it and in the view of the people, confesses first his own sins and then the sins of his household. The bullock's throat is slit and the rushing blood is collected in a basin. Then the high priest takes coals from the altar, and walks into the the Most Holy Place to burn the incense in the very presence of God. He must not stay long lest the people begin to fear that he has been struck dead by God. When he reappears, the people give up a sigh of relief.

Meanwhile, two goats have been set apart for sacrifice. One is marked "For the LORD", the other "For Azazel" (believed to be the name of a demon). The former is killed and with its blood, the high priest enters the Most Holy Place once more. He comes out and mixes the goat's blood with the bullock's, and sprinkles it on the altar. Then he takes the other goat (also known as the "scapegoat"), places his hands on it and confesses his own sins and the sins of the people. The animal is led into the wilderness, bearing the sins of the people, to be killed by wild beasts.

After that, the high priest makes several sacrifices for himself and for the people. Finally, he enters the Most Holy Place for a last time. That evening, a feast is held to celebrate. Not only are the sins of the nation atoned, more importantly, their high priest has been into the presence of God and has emerged alive. Such is the ceremony that underlines the seriousness of sin and the need for its atonement. Do we have the same high view of God's holiness and serious view of our sins?

Do I treat my sin and God's holiness lightly?