"But into the holy place went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once onto the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us."

Vs. 1-2 - Apparently up to this time there was freedom of the priests to enter the Holiest

Place at will according to chapter 10. From that point on it was instituted that

only the high priest would be able to enter and then only once a year.

The priesthood was a picture of the relationship that God wanted with all of

Israel, that they would all be a kingdom of priests, just as we as Christians are

today. 1 Peter 2:9 & Revelation 1:6

God wanted that special relationship, but it was imperative that those things

were allowed to happen to fulfill the prophecies of Christ becoming the High

Priest once for all.

Vs. 5 - Two goats and a ram; is it just a coincidence that there were three to be

offered? Two thieves and Jesus!

Vs. 6 - 1 Peter 4:17 - Judgment must begin with the house of God, Why?

Vs.7-10 - Can you see the parallel between this and Jesus? Brought to the door of the

congregation and presented, casting lots, and choosing between Jesus and

Barabbas. The priests in Jesus' situation did not directly cast lots to select

Jesus or Barabbas but they did coerce the people to choose.

Jesus fulfilled both roles of both goats by becoming the one chosen of God to

be the sacrifice for our sins and to be the scapegoat and bear all sins upon

Himself. Vs. 10 makes it clear that the goat was to be presented alive also,

which Jesus also fulfilled. The three days in the grave relates to the scapegoat

being cast into the wilderness.

Vs. 11-12- Exodus 33:20 - God had declared that no one could see Him and live, the Day

of Atonement was an exception but not completely. The high priest was to

take incense and put it upon the fire to create a cloud that would cover the

presence of God.

Vs. 16 - The Temple was to be a Holy Place and was to be cleansed also, could this be

what Jesus was alluding to in Mark 11: 15-17?

Vs. 20-22- All of the sins of the Jewish people for that year were laid on the scapegoat.

According to Jewish tradition the High Priest would tie a piece of red (scarlet)

cloth around each of the goats. Around the horn of the scapegoat and around

the throat of the one to be sacrificed. It is also said that the cloth around the

scapegoat's horn would turn white if God had accepted the sin offering like

Isaiah 1:18. It is also said by Alfred Edersheim that the cloth stopped turning

white around 40 yrs. Before the destruction of the Temple. Which would be

about the time of the Crucifixion!

Vs. 26 - Isn't this a striking resemblance of Matthew 27: 24?

Vs. 27 - Finally, all of this was done outside the camp, as with the Crucifixion!

For sin which we have committed before Thee by denying and lying, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee by bribery; for the sin which we have committed before Thee by scoffing, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee by slander; For the sin which we have committed before Thee in commerce, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee in eating and drinking; For the sin which we have committed before Thee by demanding usurious interest, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee by stretching forth the neck in pride; For the sin which we have committed before Thee by idle gossip, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee with wanton looks; For the sin which we have committed before Thee with haughty eyes, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee by effrontery; For the sin which we have committed before Thee by unclean lips, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee by impure speech; for the sin which we have committed before Thee by the evil inclination, and for the sin which we have committed before Thee wittingly or unwittingly; for all these, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement. In the book of life, blessing, peace and good sustenance, may we be remembered and inscribed before thee.

Wow, maybe we could learn from this prayer to examine ourselves daily in these and other areas.