TEXT:

SUBJET: High Priest

Jesus Christ is our great high priest.

Every word of that sentence is worth a lifetime of meditation and praise.

A priest is one who brings others to God. Under the Old Covenant, there were many priests, and all of them offered sacrifices to the Lord for the nation. The priesthood was a teaching device. As the people watched the men in their daily work, they learned the basics of theology: (1) they were guilty, (2) the Lord would forgive them, but (3) at a price. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission.

The high priest was at the head of his order. He enjoyed a privilege the others didn’t. While they went into the Temple and, some into the Holy Place, only he entered the Holy of Holies, and once a year offered a special sacrifice to God—the sacrifice of Atonement.

The nation stood in the court on that day, hoping and praying he would come out alive. If he did, the offering was accepted and the sins of the people were pardoned. If he didn’t, it’s because God rejected the offering and Israel was left with nothing buthe sacrifice was rejected, and there was nothing for the people but guilt and judgment. Israel was still in its guilt and under the wrath of God.

Jesus Christ is our Priest. Like the others, He offered a sacrifice for His people. But unlike the others who came before Him, He did not offer a bull or a goat, a sheep or a pigeon. He offered Himself to God. Instead of cutting the throat of some innocent animal, He cut His own throat—so to speak—by going to the cross for His people.

He is our High priest. Like Aaron and his sons, our Lord went into the Presence of God and there atoned for the sins of His people. But unlike them, His atoning work was complete and final! He doesn’t offer Himself every year—because He doesn’t need to! The Sacrifice He brought God was so great that it needed no follow up! And allows for none! And, unlike what they offered long ago, His sacrifice reaches the heart. It doesn’t make His people clean on the outside, but clean on the inside.

Did God accept His offering? Yes He did. How do we know that? In the same way the Jews did: Because He came out of the Holiest Place…alive! Aaron stepped out after a few minutes in God’s Presence; our Lord stayed longer than. For three days and nights, no one saw Him, but then they did! He got out alive. Because God accepted His sacrifice for us, and therefore, He accepts us in Christ!

Our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God by the death of His Son! He’s the One we remember at the Lord’s Table this day.

Prayer of Thanksgiving.

Lord’s Table

Hymn 53—Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah (tune of Ode to Joy)