CHRIST IS OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

_“Christ ... entered heaven itself,  now to appear for us in God’s presence.”(Hebrews 9: 24)_

*In Hebrews  8: 1 we read that Christ is our High Priest.  What does that mean?  We are told very plainly in the Word of God that sin cuts off people from God.  No sinner can approach God. His way to heaven is closed.  So how then can a sinner go to God?  In the Old Testament, the high priest whom God appointed would go into God’s presence once a year after he had made sacrifice for the sins of the people.  He would offer the blood of calves and goats not only for the sins of the people, but also for his own sins  for he too was a sinner.  He then would go into the holy place, then on beyond the veil into the holy of holies where the Ark of the Covenant rested.  Here was the mercy sent, and here, God met the people through the high priest who was the mediator.  But today our Lord Jesus Christ has made it possible for all sinners to approach God.  Jesus is our High Priest, our representative before the Father.  He entered into the heavenly sanctuary, God’s presence, bearing the blood of His own sacrifice to cleanse us from our sins and to give us eternal salvation.  He shed His blood for us on the Cross for “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”(Hebrews 9: 22)  When this High Priest had offered once for all the sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10: 12)  He said on the Cross, “It is finished.” (John 19: 30)  All His work of redemption had been completed on the Cross, hence now He is sitting with the Father.  He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself. (Hebrews 9: 26)

Dear friends, Jesus our High Priest is at the right hand of the Father at this moment making intercession for you and me. (Hebrews 7: 25, 8: 1, 10: 2)  He has now gone to appear for us in God’s presence. (9: 24) That is why we have boldness to enter into the holiest Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way. (10: 19,20)  What a great privilege we have!  So let us boldly draw near the throne of grace to find grace and receive mercy in the hour of need.

*PRAYER*:    Dear Lord Jesus, what confidence it gives me to know that You are sitting at the right hand of the Father, as the High Priest, interceding for me! Forgive me of all my iniquities cleanse me by Your blood shed on the Cross and accept me as Your own. Amen.