A PRESENT AND ACTIVE SAVIOR
Our High Priest
Day 26 Thursday
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EXPLORE THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
For us there is one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist,
and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things and through whom we exist (1 Corinthians 8: 6).
HEBREWS 2: 17-18
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
HEBREWS 4: 14-16
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
HEBREWS 10: 11-14
And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
CONSIDER
The role of the high priest in ancient Israel was to offer the sacrifice of atonement. Wearing a breastplate on which was engraved the names of the 12 tribes of Israel, he entered the Holy of holies representing all the people. The sacrifice had to be offered once a year, for it was only symbolic of the hope of God’s mercy. Jesus made a perfect sacrifice that needs never to be repeated. He acted as both the priest and the offering, sacrificing his own blood for our sins.
Jesus’ priesthood continues as he prays for us, ever applying his forgiveness to our sins and ever offering us, by the Spirit, his righteousness to transform us.
Hebrews notes that because of his humanity, and the temptations he faced throughout his days with us, Jesus is not aloof, but sympathetic to the trials we face.
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PRAY THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Begin with the Jesus Prayer. Pray it reflectively several times, for yourself or on behalf of another.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Then pray the day’s prayer slowly and repeatedly for at least a minute (that’s about seven times). Allow the prayer to take you into the meaning of the day’s facet of Jesus’ name. Pray it for yourself and/or on behalf of another. Take your time and trust this process!
Lord Jesus Christ, great High Priest,
who offered yourself a perfect sacrifice, intercede for me even now.
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LIVE INTO THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
He has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you might become partakers of his divine
nature . . . For this very reason, supplement your faith with
virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness,
brotherly affection and love (2 Peter 1: 4-7).
HEBREWS 10: 19-25
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
CONSIDER
Hebrews urges us to draw near to God with full assurance. Our great high priest has provided a new and living way to God. He stands as our guarantee of acceptance before God. Thus we take courage and give courage to one another.
Explore this assurance as you close by singing this verse,
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong and perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is love,
Whoever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands;
My name is written on his heart.
I know that while in heaven he stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
Charitie L. Bancroft. Before the Throne of God Above. 1863.
LISTEN TO TODAY'S HYMN
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