The Perfect Priest
Opening Prayer
“Come near to God and he will come near to you” (Jas. 4:8). Give thanks for this incredible promise.
Read Hebrews 7:23-28
[23] Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; [24] but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. [25] Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. [26] Such a high priest truly meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. [27] Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. [28] For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
How is Jesus, the high priest, different from others?Twice every day, throughout the entire year, subordinate priests offered up a number of different sacrifices in the Temple. They were always busy. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, commonly called Yom Kippur, the high priest offered a sacrifice to God on behalf of the people. Because he himself was a sinner, he first had to offer sacrifice for his own sin; then he went through an involved ritual and offered an animal sacrifice on behalf of the people. Jesus, however, is perfect. He doesn’t have to offer a sacrifice for his own sins, only for his people’s. Where today we seek peace within our crazy lives, it can only come from a right relationship with God. Jesus is the only priest who can give us access to God; see how often he had to offer a sacrifice (27). Through Jesus, God established a new covenant with us. We do not any longer need to go to the Temple to have access to God. We do not have to wait for a priest to offer up a sacrifice. We can come into God’s presence at any time in any location. Jesus is always there, interceding with the Father on our behalf.
Apply
Does any barrier exist between you and God? If so, ask Jesus to remove it so you can experience true peace.
Closing prayer
Lord, thank You for the sacrifice You offered on the cross for my sin. May I never take it for granted.
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