Dear church,

The high priest of Israel carried the entire nation before God. They were on his shoulders and on his heart (Exodus 28:12, 29). The high priest also carried the people’s sins (Exodus 28:38).

This was a solemn responsibility. On this man – whom we would say was rather strangely dressed – were carried an entire people. He carried them before God so that they were remembered, and so that their sins could be forgiven.

Aaron and every subsequent high priest was a forerunner of Christ – the ultimate high priest who went before God on our behalf with finality: 

“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. … For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. … So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you’” (Hebrews 4:14; 5:1, 5).

And so there’s a sense that we are carried by Christ before God. We are not forgotten. Those true believers, who put their faith in Christ, are on his shoulders and on his heart. 

Beware of any attitude that tells you that you have somehow earned your salvation – that you are morally or intellectually good enough to be saved by God. No, the only thing we do is “hold fast our confession.”

The people of Israel were entirely passive as the priest walked forward, into the tabernacle, to meet with God. He carried them in with him in a symbolic sense. But it was not because of any righteousness on their part. 

So it is with us. Christ carries us with him. We only believe.

Chris