God chose one family to serve as his priests in the Tabernacle and the Temple. One of the main duties of the priest was to bless the people. A very special blessing was reserved exclusively for Aaron, the High Priest, and for all High Priests who would follow him. This blessing contained everything the people would need: God's protection, his presence to accompany them, and his peace.
Part of the High Priest's unique wardrobe was a kind of large pocket. Attached to this pocket, worn over Aaron's heart, were twelve precious stones, each one engraved with the name of one of the tribes of Israel. "When Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will wear this breastpiece engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, so that I, the Lord, will always remember my people." (Exodus 28:29)
Just as Aaron entered into the Tabernacle in the wilderness carrying his people over his heart before God, and just as he came out from the presence of God to bless the people three times using the name of the LORD, so also one day many centuries later a much greater High Priest entered into the very presence of God in heaven.
"When Christ went through the tent and entered once and for all into the Most Holy Place... he took his own blood and obtained eternal salvation for us... For Christ did not go into a Holy Place made by human hands, which was a copy of the real one. He went into heaven itself, where he now appears on our behalf in the presence of God." (Hebrews 9:12, 24)
Jesus, God's Messiah and Son, carried our names over his heart as he entered God's eternal Tabernacle. Even now he continues to represent his people before his Father, carrying my name and yours over his heart.
"Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us!" (Romans 8:34)
"Jesus lives on forever, and his work as priest does not pass on to someone else. And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives forever to plead with God for them." (Hebrews 7:24-25)
How glorious to know that our risen Lord is constantly representing us before his father!
- 26 APRIL -