Jesus as the temple, high priest, and lamb of God
When we think temple, high priest, and lamb of God, what comes to mind? Perhaps a building with a rounded roof, maybe the Pope, and animal sacrifices. However, Jesus Christ is all three, combined and joined together in one.
In Christ’s time, a temple was the most sacred and respected place for a Jew. (Jesus as the New Temple) The sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham’s only son is one example. Before he was about to be slaughtered (Genesis 22:2), Abraham had created a temple for the sacred carrying out of God’s command. So when our Lord Jesus spoke the words of tearing down their temple and building a new one in three days, you can imagine the outrage of the Jews! How would we like it if a man we’d never met came into our home and stated such a sentence? Of course, we would not believe him. However, Jesus was not talking about the physical structure. He is the temple. His words were pointing towards His crucifixion, in which He will die (destroyed) and rise again (rebuilt) in three days. (John 2:19)
The high priest is a very important and respected individual, the leader of the Jewish people of the time (Jesus as the New and Eternal High Priest). He is the mediator between man and God. (Maccabees 14:41) If Jesus is THE High Priest, a daring statement, then that would of course mean He is above all other priests. He is the ultimate mediator (Hebrews 5:1).
How is Jesus the Lamb of God, one may ask. Animal sacrifice was a common practice amongst the Old Testament Jews, foreshadowing Jesus’ life on earth. In Exodus Moses and Aaron are called to slaughter a lamb without blemish (Exodus 12:5). Jesus, as he hung on the cross, died before his legs could be broken. (John 19: 32-33). This is just one instance in the Old and New testaments where sacrifices foreshadow the crucifixion of Christ. Jesus is the new Lamb, sacrificed to save us from eternal damnation (Jesus as the Lamb of God).
In conclusion, Jesus’ life is very much so connected to the New Testament. The fulfillment of these prophecies is the most important historical event in the history of the world. Throughout His life, Jesus knew He was the temple, the high priest, and the new Lamb. He sacrificed Himself for us, to save us from the fires of Hell and bring us to eternal life, and for that we should be eternally grateful.
Works Cited
Sollom, Scott. Jesus as the Lamb of God
Sollom, Scott. Jesus as the New Temple
Sollom, Scott. Jesus as the New and Eternal High Priest
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/.
The Holy Bible, revised standard version, second Catholic edition.