God established rules for the nation of Israel to follow to have their sins temporarily forgiven. They were to have a HIGH PRIEST from the tribe of Levi, to perform sacred ceremonies on behalf of the people. There were rigid requirements for the HIGH PREIST to be cleansed in recognition of the holiness of God. Anyone violating these rules was to die.

“They (HIGH PRIEST) shall be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God, for they offer the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God; therefore, they SHALL BE HOLY.”- Lev 21:6

‘He who is the HIGH PREIST among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments, shall not uncover his head nor tear his clothes; nor shall he go near any dead body, nor defile himself for his father and mother; nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God upon him: I am the LORD.” -Lev 21:10-12

“This shall be an everlasting stature for you, to make ATONMENT for the children of Israel, for all their sins, ONCE A YEAR.” And he did as the LORD commanded Moses.”- Lev 16:34

The HIGH PRIEST went alone into the second part of the tabernacle to perform the services with blood sacrifices, which were offered for himself and for the sins of the people.

“Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the HIGH PRIEST went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance.”- Heb 9:6-7

The Sacrifices and ceremonies of the Old Covenant HIGH PRIESTS with blood of animals were temporary for the people. They pointed to Jesus Christ, the TRUE HIGH PRIEST, who made atonement with HIS own blood. He entered the Most Holy Place once for all. As a result He obtained eternal redemption for His people.

Christ offered Himself without spot and cleansed His elect people of their sins. Christ is therefore the Mediator of the New Covenant, by means of His Death, for the redemption of sinners, who are called by Him. All of those who are in Christ by faith are forgiven sinners and they receive the promise of eternal life.

“But Christ came as HIGH PRIEST of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and caves, but with His own blood He entered the MOST HOLY PLACE once and for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying the flesh, how much more shall the BLOOD OF CHRIST, who through eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve a living God?” And for this reason, He is the MEDIATOR OF THE NEW COVENANT, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promises of eternal inheritance.’ – Heb 9:11-15

-Michael Alan Nichols

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My thoughts: I need to walk away and pray about this… be back soon…

…6 days later…

I wash my living room carpets every November and let me tell you the dirty water that I dump after cleansing is disgusting. I always picture this yearly task like the HIGH PRIEST had to do to wash away his sins and the sins of the people. Could you imagine having to have ‘middleman’ (HIGH PRIEST) go in place of you to ask for forgiveness? Not only have to do this year after year but to have to kill an innocent animal and shed its blood and ashes in order to be forgiven? This is the most heinous way to ask God for forgiveness. I’m just saying. I’m So glad for the NEW COVENANT! For NO harm is allowed on HIS HOLY MOUNTAIN.

I find nothing even remotely sweet nor nice about this heinous way to forgiveness and deliverance. And guess what so God does too (find it heinous); hence why He fulfilled His promise to Abraham:

Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” “Here I am, my son,” he replied. “The fire and the wood are here,” said Isaac, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two walked on together.- Gen 22:8

See, God Does not require us to sacrifice our children or ourselves to be redeemed by the power of sin and eternal death. NO, instead God came down here HIMSELF, in the prophecy of JESUS, the son, to be that very penalty paid for our sins. He does NOT require anything of us to be HIS saved and sanctified children, except a sincere desire to be in relationship with HIM.

Just as Abraham desired a sincere, guilt free from sin, relationship with God- without having to sacrifice himself nor his son Issac. He knew in Faith that God would provide for all his children HIMSELF. Now that is FAITH! YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL (life), AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND (thought, understanding), AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’- Mark 12:30

I wash my carpets in November because that is when my husband goes to Philadelphia to provide sound for the Rocky Run race (Slyvester Stallone) – this gives me the time to wash and allow for drying without hinderances (other people walking on them). This really just signifies that God does need us to ‘get out His way’ so He can clean up our sins, (messes, spills, dirty shoe prints, etc.) once and for All.

See God doesn’t need us to get perfect before being cleansed and dried (saved and sanctified); He just needs us to ‘get out of His way’ and have confidence in the carpet cleaning process. 😉

Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps.- Pro 3:5-6

All my carpet cleaning LOVE, ❤ Diana xo, 🙂