THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
He instructed that three cities be designated as places of sanctuary for those who had unintentionally committed offenses. This provision for asylum was part of a system designed to offer relief to those in dire circumstances. The period of absolution is also defined in connection with the death of the high priest. As recorded in the book of Numbers: If someone should accidentally push another without malice, throw an object at him unintentionally, or drop a stone without seeing it that results in death, and this person was not an enemy nor wished any harm, then the community is to decide between the manslayer and the avenger of blood according to established laws.
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The community is to protect the manslayer from the avenger of blood and return him to the city of refuge where he took flight, allowing him to live there until the death of the anointed high priest (Num. 35:22-25). Subsequently, it is stated, "after the death of the high priest, the manslayer shall return to his own land" (Num. 35:28). The implication here is that the end of his exile is connected to the death of this designated priest. Within this external description lies the deeper mystery of Christ.
How does this relate? It is reasonable to view those ensnared by sin as, in a manner, slayers of their own souls, having fallen into this unfortunate state not of their own volition, but as if driven to wrongdoing, offending God, because "the thoughts of man's heart are evil from his youth" (Gen. 8:21), and due to the law (Rom. 7:23-25) of relentless desire that binds them within the weakness of the flesh. Consequently, humanity's soul has suffered punishment through exile from the world and the physical body, remaining confined, akin to being in a city of refuge in the depths of death, until Christ, our Great High Priest, who died for all, descended into the realm of the dead, opening the gates for those held captive in darkness, proclaiming to the captives: "come out," and to those in darkness: "show yourselves" (Is. 49:9). How illuminating this message is!