Saturday, 11 April 2020

JESUS - OUR HIGH PRIEST

Pr. James Victor Lubwama
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NKJV)
“Seeing that we have a High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
In the Old Testament it was unheard of for people to talk to God directly; they would always present their sacrifices and offerings to a high priest who was chosen by God to represent them in the Holy of Holies. This was a not a role taken on by any ordinary man but the high priest who was chosen by God from a specific clan because it would lead to death if done otherwise (Leviticus 16). Presentation of offerings and sacrifices was limited to the high priest who would represent the twelve clans of Israel (Exodus 28). 
We thank God because He gave the greatest sacrifice in order to redeem humanity. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (GNT) says; “Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.” 
We are no longer required to give sacrifices as was the case in the Old Testament (Leviticus 4:1-5); because at the cross, Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice. Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT) says; 
“You were dead because your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.”
We are in a covenant that speaks better things than any other blood. The blood of Jesus cleanses us and takes away our sins. Jesus rendered all forms of sacrifices devoid of power. The bible says in Hebrews 12:24 (NLT) says; “You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.”
In Exodus 28:11, the twelve stones represented the tribes of Israel and the Christians in the New Testament, implying that Jesus carries us on His shoulders and the breast-piece on His heart means that God has our concerns at heart (Exodus 28:29); and that is why the bible says in 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP); “Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” 
Cast all your burdens, sicknesses, worries, challenges and fears unto Jesus because He not only cares but has the solutions to them as well. Jesus redeemed us and removed all limitations that were in the Old Testament law; the sacrifice of the lamb of God granted us full access to the Father through him. All we need to do is to ask in his name and it shall be done. He assures us in John 14:13 that; “And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son”. 
The curtain was torn into two after Jesus’ death on the cross (Mathew 27:50-51) and we can now approach the throne of grace and forgiveness. Because of Jesus, we no longer need someone to represent us or present our issues because we can approach God directly; we are no longer bound and limited in our communication to God because at the cross, the veil was torn down. 
Jesus is the final priest between man and God. Unlike other priests who lived and died; Jesus lived, died and rose from the dead never to die again. Hebrews 7:23-24 (NLT) says; “There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever”
Before Christ, the holiest place of the tabernacle was entered once a year by the high priest. But that was just a shadow of the true Holy Place in heaven where God dwells, so our High Priest is alive forevermore; and is with God above the heavens in the holiest place in the universe. Jesus the Son of God pleads our cases by his own blood; for He has immediate access to God in heaven day and night. Hebrews 7:25 (AMP) says; 
“Therefore He is able also to save forever (completely, perfectly, for eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede and intervene on their behalf [with God].”
He was not merely a human exalted to this priestly place. He is the divine Son of God who created the earth and the heavens (Hebrews 5:5-6). This gives his sacrifice its infinite worth. Jesus did not take the blood of calves and goats into the heavenly temple but his own precious blood (Hebrews 9:12), so our High Priest is alive forevermore; He is with God above the heavens in the holiest place in the universe and  pleading my case by his own blood.

1 comment:

  1. Thanks pastor for opening our spiritual eyes and ears. Be blessed for the great work you do.proud to be part of mcfm family.

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