Our Priest

The craftsmen made beautiful sacred garments of blue, purple, and scarlet cloth —clothing for Aaron to wear while ministering in the Holy Place, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. . . . The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. . . . They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved. He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. Exodus 39:1, 4, 6-7

EACH PRIEST who served in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple wore an ephod, which was likely a long, sleeveless apron or vest with two straps that went over his shoulders. Two semiprecious stones mounted on the shoulder straps were inscribed with twelve names —the names of the tribes of Israel. Attached to the front of the ephod was a chestpiece with twelve precious stones mounted on it, one for each tribe of Israel, signifying that these people were precious to God. So in a sense, when the priest entered into the presence of God in the Tabernacle’s Most Holy Place, he carried God’s people on his shoulders and close to his heart. If you were an Israelite in those days, when you saw the name of your tribe on the high priest’s breastplate, you could be sure that he carried out his work before God on your behalf.

As believers under the new covenant, we have an even better priest who shoulders our burdens and keeps our concerns close to God’s heart. He has entered into an even better sanctuary, the heavenly sanctuary. And this is good news for us as parents. We do not bear the full load of the needs of our children. We simply can’t. And it is not just our hearts that are touched by our children’s needs and concerns. In Christ, our children have a Great High Priest who bears their burdens and keeps their interests close to his heart.

Father, we need Jesus. We need Jesus as our Great High Priest to intercede for us in your holy presence. We need Jesus to intervene in what would otherwise be a hopeless situation. We need an advocate who asks you to treat us and our children not as we deserve, but as he deserves.