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Jesus our faithful High Priest

Scripture reading for February 17th: Leviticus 1-3, Psalm 27, Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2:14-18 “Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore He had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to 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.”

The writer of Hebrews shared how the descendants of Abraham were partakers of flesh and blood. They were also sinners and lived under a slavery to the fear of death. God had placed eternity in their hearts and they knew that they would stand before God as a judge. God’s remedy to help lost and enslaved mankind was to send His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to live in perfect obedience to the Father. Jesus came in human flesh and was subject to the trials and temptations common to sinful man. But He was sinless and offered His body and blood as the perfect sacrifice for sins. Atonement and propitiation are the two words used to describe what the substitute sacrifice would provide. Through Jesus, deliverance from the slavery of fear of death and sin’s power and cleansing from sin was accomplished.

Leviticus 1:3-5 “If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son as the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Thank You that He is a merciful High Priest and understands our weaknesses and need for mercy. Thank You for the perfect and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ delivering us from fear of death and the power and penalty of sin. We now see the goodness of God in the land of the living!

Psalm 27:13-14 “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord.”