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The Uncommon Christ series explores the lesser-known scriptural names and titles of Jesus Christ.
“Every one of us has times when we need to know things will get better," taught Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. "To any who may be struggling to see that light and find that hope, I say: Hold on. … Christ comes to you … with a future of ‘better promises.’ He is your 'high priest of good things to come' (Hebrews. 9:11).” (1)
THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST
Israelite high priests were central to the Day of Atonement. This holiest day of the year was the was the only time the most sacred part of the temple (representing God’s presence) could be entered. Alone, the high priest passed through the inner veil, sprinkling sacrificial blood on the mercy seat, to make at-one-ment with God for himself and all Israel.
This foreshadowed Christ as both the blood offering itself and as the "great high priest" (Heb. 4:14) who made intercession on behalf of everyone else. Just once. And for all (2).
His spilled blood completed atonement for mankind when He passed through the veil, entered God’s presence, and was resurrected. At His death the temple veil split from top to bottom (3), signifying that all of God’s children could now “enter into the holiest [place] by the blood of Jesus” that has been “sprinkled…on our hearts” (Heb. 10:19, 22). The annual Day of Atonement became the chance for daily atonement through our Great High Priest.
THE MEDIATOR OF A BETTER COVENANT
This final blood sacrifice ended the old law, and Christ became “the mediator of a better covenant [with] better promises” (Heb. 8:6). He heals our pasts, but also ensures our futures—He is our High Priest of Good Things to Come.
AN HIGH PRIEST OF GOOD THINGS TO COME
So when confronted with stresses like financial difficulty, relationship crises, or mental or physical illness—wondering if things will ever get better—may we follow Elder Holland’s counsel:
“Cling to your faith [in Jesus Christ]. Hold on to your hope. … Don’t give up [and] don’t you quit. … There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it…. Keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.” (1)
Because of the High Priest who made at-one-ment we could not make for ourselves, “there is hope in thine end [future]” (Jeremiah 31:17)—today, tomorrow, and forever.
REFERENCES
"An High Priest of Good Things to Come," Conference Address, April 1999.
see Heb. 10:10.
see Matt. 27:51