March 10, 2023 | Be On Mission
Jesus is the Great High Priest
Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (NIV)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
6 And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Devotional
For the Jewish people in Biblical times, the sacrifices made in the temple were central to their understanding of atonement for their sins. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem was an incredibly massive layout, covering about 35 acres. Within it were several gathering courtyards and spaces, each a relatively smaller area with more limited access. The further in you got, the closer to God. Here is a simplified version of the purposes of each section:
The Court of Gentiles, where anybody could go.
The Court of Women, for any Jew, male or female.
The Court of Israel, for only ritually clean male Jews.
The Court of Priests, for only the priests to make sacrifices
The Holy Place, for a selected priest to burn incense daily
The Holy of Holies, for only the high priest once a year
There was only one high priest, who was the most important religious authority in the faith. He alone could enter the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, to make a blood sacrifice to atone for the sins of the people.
As a Jewish peasant carpenter’s son, Jesus would not have been allowed beyond the Court of Israel. But the author of Hebrews says that Jesus, the Son of God, is our great high priest. When Jesus died on the cross, the Bible says that the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the world was torn in two (Matthew 27:51). Jesus, our great high priest, opens up everyone to the presence of God and forgiveness for sins 24/7/365!
Go back and read today’s passage again. What do you notice about the high priest? What makes Jesus the great high priest? What does this mean for you as a believer in Christ?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for sending your Son, Jesus, to share our human nature and the temptations of the world and yet overcome these human weaknesses without sin. We are ever grateful for Your grace that we do not deserve and for forgiving our transgressions. We are filled with joy to be called your children. Dear Lord, help strengthen our faith and help us to become better and more holy followers of Jesus, our Great High Priest.
Poem
Best Ever
Hebrews 5:1-2, 7, 13-14
Best ever
Confidante
Honest lawyer
Represents
Knows who I am
Knows my weaknesses
And yet
Is gentle
Mercy driven
Best intentions
Wanting good
Sacrificial
Interceding
Kind and gracious
Fills the gap
Tends my scrapes
Offers rest
Hospitality
Sets best table
Finest meat
Best ever
Friend
