Act 1: The Priest Appears

[Aaron] must put on his linen tunic and the linen undergarments worn next to his body. He must tie the linen sash around his waist and put the linen turban on his head.   Leviticus 16:4

The Day of Atonement was like a great drama in five acts. Even today it remains the most visual presentation of the gospel in the Old Testament. The whole day was filled with symbolism that points us forward to Jesus Christ and helps us to understand the significance of his death on the cross.

You would have understood that the high priest was one of the most important people in the nation just by looking at his clothes. Rich in symbolism, his breastplate contained twelve precious stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Under his breastplate he wore an ephod, a sleeveless tunic of fine linen, decorated with gold, blue, purple, and scarlet trim. His clothing displayed the dignity of his office.

But on the Day of Atonement, the high priest did not wear his magnificent clothes. He appeared in the streets wearing a simple white cloth, the sort of clothing that the lowest servant would wear.

Imagine the man who holds the most dignified office in the land dressed as a common slave, onlookers lining the route where he walks. He makes his way toward the Tabernacle like a boxer entering the ring, a vast crowd pressing round in anticipation of what is about to happen.

In the New Testament another high priest appears. Every high priest descended from Aaron, but this high priest is not one of Aaron’s sons. This priest is the Son of God! His glory, the glory that he shared with the Father before the world began, is much greater than the splendid clothes worn by the high priest.

However, just as the high priest discarded his magnificent clothing on the Day of Atonement, Christ laid aside his glory. He took on himself the form of a servant (see Philippians 2:6-7). He was wrapped in strips of cloth and laid in a manger. When Christ was born, the real drama of atonement was about to begin.

For further reading, see Philippians 2