“Since then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

Even though this seems like a diversion, keep in mind that the overall theme of the writer is to show the superiority of the new covenant over the old one. The writer now switches to the priesthood, a major consideration in the Jewish nation. Their entire religious experience was tied up with the priestly system, and it is necessary for the author to remind them that they now have a high priest that is vastly superior to the Levitical one. He will spend some time on this subject, which shows how important understanding Christ priesthood is.

There are a lot of things that separate Jesus as high priest from the previous priesthood. In the course of things, these will be brought to light, but at this juncture, the author highlights the fact that Jesus has gone through the true holy of holies. Not the temporal one but the heavenly one. Not the shadow but the real thing. He is not representing us at the physical mercy seat in an earthly tabernacle but at the very throne of the God on High. Jesus has taken His sacrifice right straight to God and offered it in person.

We should not forsake Jesus as Lord nor as high priest as He is both. He is the real one for whom the others merely foreshadowed.

Task for Today: Whatever choices you make today do not let go of your high priest who has gone before God on your behalf. Stay firm in your commitment to Jesus as Lord. If you have let it slip, recommit today.