“And they led Jesus to the high priest. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together.” (Mark 14:53)
At the trial of Jesus we have him being led to the chief priest. Here we have a very ironic scene that is both historically and theologically charged.
In the Bible we understand that everything ultimately points to the person and work of Christ (Lk. 24:26-27, 44-47). The Old Testament is laden with shadows pointing forward to the substance which is Christ (Col. 2:16-17). As question 19 in the Heidelberg Catechism says,
“God began to reveal the gospel already in Paradise; later God proclaimed it by the holy patriarchs and prophets and foreshadowed it by the sacrifices and other ceremonies of the law; and finally God fulfilled it through his own beloved Son.”
So here in this scene we have Jesus standing before the high priest. Or, we might say, the substance (Jesus) standing before the shadow (high priest).
The priests were there to represent God to man and man to God. They were to pray, offer sacrifices, and instruct the people while promoting and protecting the holiness of God. But their job was not an eternal appointment. Everything about their profession was temporary. Hebrews 7-10 makes the argument that the whole priesthood was unable to bring perfection. Priests were themselves imperfect, they died, and they could not bring the perfection required by God. This is why God promised a New Covenant mediated by a new priest (Jer. 31, Ps. 103). The shadows look ahead to the substance.
So here is the scene: the shadow and the substance. One would expect a celebration or at least rejoicing! But we don’t find this at all. Ironically, the high priest is resolved to kill Jesus the true and greater high priest. The shadow aims to eclipse the substance. But, this is not the way it should be: the shadow is supposed to be eclipsed by the substance. They missed it. They missed Christ. And therefore, they missed God.
The plot thickens however. Instead of Jesus blasting them and destroying them in an instant, Jesus takes it. He endures the abuse and tortue, even his shameful crucifixion on a cross. The priest must make his sacrifice after all; but this is no ordinary sacrifice. As priest, he offers himself, the true lamb of God upon the altar of wood. Like the burnt offering, he is consumed completely. And Christ, our sin, grain, guilt, and burnt offering is also our Passover Lamb and Day of Atonement sacrifice. The substance is here. He has done his work.
To punctuate his work the Father shows his affirmation. Jesus is raised from the dead. God has accepted his sacrifice. Christ has ascended to reign at God’s own right hand, waiting to return again and judge all men.
Oh, that blessed Savior, with love compelling his obedience for a disobelient people like us. I can almost see him there before such a proud and spiritually depraved priest. There he is to take the worst they can give him while going to the cross to get what our worst deserves. He will in short time, with his lacerated back, swollen brow, and nailed pierced hands and feet, writhe in pain as he fights for breath. All of this while successfully and faithfully bearing the full unmitigated artillery of divine wrath due for our sin.
Look upon this scene in the Scripture and see the substance eclipse the shadow. See the true and greater priest, stand head and shoulders above his inferior shadow. See him and smile, for he is your priest.
We have an ALTAR and a PRIEST
Within the riven veil?
All typal sacrifice has ceased,
Remove that ‘altar rail!’
With holy boldness venture nigh;
The Golden Altar stands on high.
“‘Tis sprinkled with the costly blood
On which the Father smiles,
That blood which from the Offerer flowed
For all whom sin defiles.
Look there, and meet your Father’s eye,
THERE learn the priestly mystery.
“For know, that since God’s Lamb was slain,
All typal rites have ceased;
Nor until MELCHIZEDEK shall reign,
May earth behold a priest,
