Our Great High Priest

In The Apostles' Creed, when we confess our faith in Jesus as the Christ, we are saying, in part, that Jesus is our great high priest. In Hebrews 7:23-27 we read,

Furthermore, the former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office; but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself.

When we confess Jesus as our great high priest we are confessing that he is the only mediator between us and God. As prophet, Jesus brings God to us; as priest, he brings us to God. As our high priest he has offered himself as a perfect, sinless sacrifice in our place. He also intercedes for us in prayer every moment.

In a small Midwestern college a professor was given the assignment of contacting a very wealthy man in behalf of the school. Special funds were needed for an expansion program, and the financier was in a position to make a sizeable contribution. Being a Christian, the professor prayed earnestly that God would guide him. As he walked into the building where the man had his office he was cordially greeted by a young man who he recognized as a former student. He recalled that he had befriended this young man at a time when he needed guidance, but he had forgotten about the young man's family. When the former student learned of the professor's errand he said, "Come right in. My father's in here." Entering the office, the son introduced the professor and said simply, "Dad, this is a friend of mine. He's all right. He's come in behalf of the college I attended." The father looked up at the visitor, reached for his chequebook and said, "How much do you want?" Within minutes the professor had a generous contribution in his pocket. The success of his mission had been assured by the intercession of that son.

If we are trusting in Jesus, if we have a positive relationship with him, then he is our intercessor. When we come before the Father in prayer, we may secure all that is in line with his will because Jesus his Son is there to intercede for us.

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Unknown said…

A Great High Priest

He took your sins and sorrows.
He took your grief and loss.
He took the law condemning you,
And nailed it to His cross.

He took your death, and buried it,
And left it in the grave,
And rising up, He conquered death,
For He is strong to save!

He passed into the heavens
To make a place for you,
There within His Father's house,
Just as He promised to.

And there, He's interceding-
Jesus Christ, God's Son!
He's touched with your infirmities.
He feels them, every one!

And just as you are tempted,
He has been tempted too.
He's faced and conquered every sin,
And knows just what to do.

So, hold fast your profession,
For when you are in need,
In Jesus, you may boldly come
Before God's throne to plead.

And with a firm assurance,
Pour out your urgent prayer!
Approach God's Throne with confidence,
For your High Priest is there!

March 6, 2013

From the book "Comfort in Christ: A Collection of Inspired Poetry" by Rebecca Gholson

http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Christ-Collection-Inspired-Poetry-ebook/dp/B00Y3XV9T6/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1434860924&sr=1-1&keywords=Comfort+in+christ

12:47 AM

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