Heb 4:14-16 KJV
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.
Jesus Christ is our High Priest living forever to
intercede on our behalf. It is enlightening to study the role of the high
priest in the Old Testament as see how it typifies our Lord, and Savior Who is
now Our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec.
THE
HIGH PRIEST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
The
high priest’s qualifications
He was picked by God Heb 5:1- 4 KJV For every high
priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God,
that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant,
and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he
ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself,
but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
Leviticus 21 gives a list of requirements qualifying one to be a high priest.
He was to be without defect; undefiled by nearness
to corpses; no markings or cuts on his skin; only take a wife who was a virgin,
from his own people. In similar manner our High Priest Jesus is perfect without
blemish, and His bride is a church that is spotless without wrinkle or blemish.
Heb 7:23-26 KJV
And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by
reason of death: 24 But this man,
because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to
the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them. 26 For such an
high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,
and made higher than the heavens;
Eph 5:25-27 KJV
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave
himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of
water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and
without blemish.
The
high priest’s job
The high priest appeared before God in the Most Holy
Place once a year to offer a sacrifice for himself first and then the people on
the Day of Atonement. He stripped himself of his fine garments, washed and put
on white linen before entering the Most Holy Place to make his offering before
God first for himself since he was also with sin, and then the people.
Our
High Priest stripped Himself of His Glory and came among us. He
identified with our weaknesses and infirmities. He was tempted like us so He
knows how we feel and this touches Him. He is without sin and so He offered
Himself for us not on earth but in heaven in the heavenly Holy of Holies.
Heb 2:17-18
KJV Wherefore in all things it behoved
him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful
high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of
the people. 18 For in that he himself
hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Heb 4:14-16 KJV
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For
we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.
Heb 5:5-10
KJV 5
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he
that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As
he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had
offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that
was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author
of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
THE
HIGH PRIEST OF THE NEW TESTAMENT
So we see that with Jesus as our High Priest
1. We are NEVER alone in our struggles
2. We can be bold in our approach because of Him
3. He was tempted so He understands our weaknesses
4. He is in sympathy with us in our weakness
5. He is ever ready to intercede on our behalf.
6. His plea on our behalf is an irresistible thing
to the Father.
7. His Blood is the ultimate final argument that is
forever undeniable.
When we reach out to God in our infirmity He responds
with His strength and empowering. He will not empower those who come before Him
as the self sufficient, the self confident or the independent. He only allows
His glory and strength to shine like treasure in earthen vessels in those whose
lives are wholly dependent on Him. We may have the world’s sum total of skills
and talents in us but unless we come in our weakness to Him we will fail to
appropriate His Strength.
When we fail in our lives for Him, we can fall before Him and He will
enter a plea as the Advocate on our behalf. We are completely assured of a
hearing when we come through the Blood and the Father ALWAYS listens to His
Son! John 11:41-42 KJV Then they took
away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his
eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. 42 And I knew that thou hearest me always:
but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that
thou hast sent me.
2Co 12:7-10
KJV And lest I should be exalted above
measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn
in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted
above measure. 8 For this thing I
besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient
for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon
me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for
Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Heb 10:19-25 KJV
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through
the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over
the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and
our bodies washed with pure water. 23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love
and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the
assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one
another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Heb 4:11-16
(KJV) 11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick, and
powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing
asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of
the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is
not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of
him with whom we have to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
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