In the ancient world, the High Priest was the most important religious figure in Israel. He alone could enter the Holy of Holies, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. He carried the names of the twelve tribes on his breastplate, representing the people before God. Yet every High Priest was himself weak, sinful, and in need of atonement.

The writer of Hebrews (unlikely Paul) reminds us that in Jesus Christ, we have something greater—a perfect High Priest, sinless and eternal, who brings us near to the throne of grace. At a time when Jewish Christians were tempted to return to the old system under Roman pressure (around AD 65–70, during growing unrest that would lead to the destruction of the Temple in AD 70), Hebrews proclaims: Don’t go back! Jesus is the fulfillment of all the priesthood and sacrificial system!