Tag: Hebrews 4:14-16
Abundant grace and mercy!
Scripture reading for February 21st: Leviticus 8-11, Psalm 110, Hebrews 4
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.”
Under the Law in Leviticus, the priests had to offer sacrifices first for their own sins and then for the sins of the people. The only sacrifice acceptable was a spotless animal who gave up his life to cover the sin. But we have a new High Priest, Jesus Christ, Son of God Who after visiting earth as a man and then dying on a cross, offering His own blood as the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world. He is seated at God’s right hand, able to sympathize with our weakness, and intercedes for us granting a cleansing from sin, not just a covering, to all who come in faith. Jesus is not of the lineage of the Levites and Aaron but of the order of Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God and King of Salem (Jerusalem). He is a type of an eternal priesthood because there is no record of his birth or his death. Jesus, like him, lives forever and is able to meet our every need for help. He is God’s appointed High Priest!
Leviticus 9:7-8 “Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them as the Lord has commanded.” So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering which was for himself.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for being appointed our High Priest forever! I am comforted to know that You are able to sympathize with my weakness and come to my aid with grace and mercy. Thank You for cleansing me from sin and sin’s power.
Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Confidence before God’s Throne
Scripture reading for October 17th: Isaiah 57-59, Hebrews 4
Key Scriptures: 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.”
Jesus Christ is our great “High Priest” Who is our Intercessor before God. Jesus understands us perfectly and is able to represent us before God because He was tempted as a man but overcame and returned to heaven to help us through His priestly intercession. We can draw near in confidence! Amen.
Isaiah 59:16 “He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought Him salvation, and His righteousness upheld Him.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth as a human and identifying with us. Thank You for Your victory over sin and death and the confidence we can now have to approach You for help in times of need. Amen.