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Saturday 19 April 2003, 15:00 - "The high priest's robe"

(Summary of sermon by Erlo Stegen)

Matt 26:59 - 68

• Jesus' accusers refer to Him with utter disrespect as 'this fellow'. They were standing before the Judge of judges. How will they not quake when they stand before Him whose face shines brighter than the sun. Others treat him similarly in their lives by excusing themselves with, "I just got married", or "I just bought a field", etc. as we read in Luke 14:18 - 20.
• Here we find the eternal High Priest before the earthly high priest of Israel at that time, who was the figure of Christ. When Jesus answered the high priest affirmatively that He is the Christ and will be seated at God's right hand, he could stand it no longer and rent his garments, crying out, "He has blasphemed". He was clearly not worthy of his position. Firstly, the Old Testament forbid the high priest to tear his garments, yet he ignored God's word (Lev 21:10). Secondly, he spoke hastily, without council.
• The high priest had a very specific dress code. The robe was pure white and spotless, signifying God's holiness and purity. The upper portion was blue, signifying heaven to whom he belonged. The headpiece was like a blossoming flower, revealing the never-failing blossoms and fruit he bore. Troubled are those who say that God does not pay attention to the outside. Here we see the great detail God looks at in the garments of the high priest. However, this high priest only had the beauty outwardly. A Christian is someone who need to be holy inside and outside, at all times.
• Why did the high priest tear his garments? Jesus made a simple statement of truth. When Jesus spoke of the One with all Power, it becomes clear that all other powers have no more significance. If he accepted Jesus' words, he had to repent right there. Ironically, it is appropriate that he should tear his garments, for the final Passover Lamb stood before him, removing the necessity of his priestly office.
• The high priest was of the same spirit as Judas Iscariot. Jesus' words were fulfilled with him as well, "he that wants to save his life will lose it". You need to forsake all of yourself if you want to come to Jesus in truth. He tore the veil in two from top to bottom, so that all might enter into the Holiest of all. It is appropriate that the veil was torn from top to bottom, for God is the one reaching out to us to save. All other efforts where man tries to save himself will fail. Just as Judas squandered his opportunities, so too did the high priest. Make use of the opportunity you have from Him, while it is still the time of grace.