Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted about the heavens. 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.
In our denomination we do not know a lot about priests. For me they are characters in movies, often associated with something corrupt or scary. Personally, I do not really feel comfortable around a man dressed in long robes and religious emblems. But in Jesus’ day, they played a role that was clearly understood. It may be helpful to have a little history review in order to understand Christ’s role as our High Priest.
Exodus 28 and 29 give us a description of God’s plan for priesthood. They were men set apart with specific responsibilities. They were to oversee the operations of the Tabernacle and to help the people maintain their relationship with God. They could only come from the tribe of Levi and be the descendants of Aaron. They were the people’s representatives before God and performed daily sacrifices, maintained the Tabernacle, and counseled the people on how to follow God. They were required to live a life worthy of the office and took their responsibility of holiness very seriously.
Why did God set up the priesthood? It was God’s original plan for his chosen people to be a “kingdom of priests” with both the nation as a whole and each individual dealing directly with God. But the sin of his people separated them from Holy God, and prevented them from entering into his presence. God then established a system of sacrifices that the priests administered on behalf of the people. These sacrifices allowed the people to approach God as they received forgiveness of their sins. Although this system was designed for the benefit of his chosen people, God had more in mind. He wanted to prepare his people for the coming of Jesus, who would once again offer a direct relationship with God to anyone who would come to him. This Old Testament system helps us better understand the significance of what Christ did for us.
Hebrews 10:1-14 clearly explains this picture of a priest offering repeated sacrifices and never fully satisfying the law. But in verses 11-14 of Hebrews10 it says, “Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest (Jesus) had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
So, what does this mean to us? It means that through our relationship with Christ we have been freed forever from the punishment for our sins. We do not have to pay for our sins by continually offering sacrifices of any kind. It has been accomplished for us. We have been reconciled to God…permanently. Have you ever hurt a friend’s feelings, or done wrong against someone you love? Have you then experienced the freedom of receiving forgiveness from them? It is a blessed thing to be forgiven. And if those we love can forgive us for the hurts and grievances they have against us, how much more wonderful is it to realize complete forgiveness for all the wrongs we have ever done? Only God can give us this gift. Only Jesus can offer it to us through his sacrifice. Only a perfect plan could accomplish this in eternity.
make it real
Think for a few minutes about your life. If you became a believer at a later stage in life, think about what your life was like before you knew Christ personally. If you became a believer early in life, try to imagine what your life would have been like without Christ. What strengths would you have misused? What sins would have held you in bondage? What direction do you think your life would have taken outside of Christ? Now think about what it is like to know him and love him. Think what purpose and meaning he brings to your life. Take a few minutes to remember all the blessings he has graced your life with as a result of knowing him. Now, thank him and praise him for all he has done. Experience again the joy of your salvation.
prayer
Gracious God, thank you so much for your infinite plans for this world. And thank you that they included a plan for me to know you. Help me to fully understand and appreciate all that Jesus accomplished as my High Priest. Thank you that he was worthy to be that sacrifice that opened the door to know you. Rekindle in my heart a gratitude and joy for all you have done for me, and use my life to reflect that to a lost world. In your name, Amen.