On this first Sunday of Lent, we remember what Jesus long ago did on our behalf and what He is still doing today.

To explain what Jesus did and is still doing for us, the author of Hebrews employs the metaphor of the High Priest. In Jesus’ time, priests played a foundational role in Jewish society. The Jews lost their independence as a nation. They were part of the Roman Empire, ruled by Roman Governors like Pontius Pilate. The Jews had very little say in political and economic matters. However, they were allowed limited authority over Jewish cultural and religious affairs. This limited jurisdiction was given to a Jewish council called the Sanhedrin. And within this body, the priests, especially the High Priest, played a major role – as religious but also simultaneously as political leader.

The Temple in Jerusalem also played a central role in the Jewish community life. At the Temple, a hierarchy of priests, with the High Priest on top, exerted the highest power in Jewish society.