In Leviticus 16, God gives the procedure of the High Priest for the Day of Atonement. This foreshadows how Jesus, who would bring our atonement, would also be our high priest. Hebrews 4: 14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. [1]
Procedure of Humiliation
In Leviticus 16:3-5, the high priest prepares for the Day of Atonement Service. He would make sure that the animals for sacrifice were ready. Then he would take off the special garment of the High priest and put on the simple linen garments of an ordinary priest. This would be an act of humiliation as he set aside the high decorated robes of the high priest.
Jesus would humble Himself to come to earth. Philippians 2: 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slaveand was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.[2]
Procedure of Sanctification
Sanctification is to be purified from sin and dedicated to God. The High Priest would first wash at the laver and then offer a blood sacrifice for his sin. By doing this, he was setting himself apart to serve the Lord and His people.
Jesus was the only one who never sinned. 1 John 3:5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. [3] Therefore, Jesus did not have to offer any sacrifice to cover His sin. He did, however, dedicate Himself to the task of serving God. John 5: 19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. [4] Jesus set Himself apart to serve His Father and by doing so, served us.
Procedure of Glorification
Once the High Priest was sure all the sacrifices were complete, he would remove the simple linen garment, bathe, and then put on his highly decorated official robes. He would return to the glory of his office.
This foreshadows Jesus’ return to heaven where He received the glory He had put aside to come to earth. Hebrews 1: 3 The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.[5]
To hear more how the procedure of the high priest foreshadows what Jesus did for us, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/foreshadowing-of-the-cross-day-of-atonement
[1-5] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.