Advent 2021 • Week Three • Day One

Monday, December 13th, 2021

Verse of the Day

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”
— Hebrews 4:14 —

The Great High Priest is JESUS

The most important spiritual leader in Israel was the high priest. Of all the priests and rulers of the nations, the high priest was the only person that could enter the Holy of a Holies, he could only enter it once a year on the Day of Atonement. On that day, he would offer sacrifices for the sins of the people.

The high priest had special directions that had to be followed before he could go behind the thick veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies. Prior to entering ceremonial cleaning of his own sins had to be completed. Upon entering he would offer the blood of a goat on the golden mercy seat that sat atop the Ark of the Covenant, this would cover the sins of Israel for another year.

This system of sacrifices and the old priesthood was not meant to last forever. God gave them to Moses and the Israelites to foreshadow their fulfillment in Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross made final atonement for our sins and abolished the priesthood and sacrifice system once and for all.

When the high priest would disappear from people’s view when he entered the Holy of Holies, so Jesus passed through the heavens into sanctuary of God. Jesus is the One to hear our prayers because He entered the Holy of Holies in heaven.

Throughout history many high priests, death prevented them to continue in office, but because Jesus lives forever, he is the permanent priesthood. He remains to this very day the enduring High Priest who is alive and able to fulfill that role.

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood.” ~Hebrews 7:23-24

Jesus is the blood sacrifice, he gave himself for the atonement of all. He sits on the great throne of grace, ready to hear our prayers and assist us in our time of need.

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
— Hebrews 4:15-16 —

Because Jesus is our High Priest, we have direct access to the Father through Jesus. Jesus is available to us at any time to help us in our hour of need.

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” ~Hebrews 7:25

CHALLENGE

We are so very privileged to have direct access to God, this was not possible for the Israelites all those years before Christ was born in a manger, grew into adulthood and was crucified for our sins and rose again. Jesus is our High Priest, now and forevermore. The old priesthood may seem strange and unsanitary compared to todays standards; but understanding the priests’ role in offering sacrifices helps us rejoice in the finished work of Jesus. As we approach the throne of grace, let us do so in full confidence that we are able to pour our hearts out to God, knowing we will not be turned away.

Prayer ~

Dear Jesus, you came and became the High Priest for each of us. We have the privilege to come to you at any time, anywhere knowing you will always be there. You torn them curtain that separated us from the presence of God. Forgive us for neglecting this privilege, rekindle in us the desire to spend time with you. You desire connection with us, you love us unconditionally. In Jesus name, Amen.

➡️ • ➡️ • ➡️ • FOR FURTHER STUDY

Leviticus 16:1-34 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Leviticus%2016:1-34&version=NIV

1 Timothy 2:5 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Timothy%202:5&version=NIV

Hebrews 4:14-16 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%204:14-16&version=NIV

Hebrews 6:19-7:28 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Hebrews%206:19-7:28&version=NIV

1 John 2:1 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20John%202:1&version=NIV

~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/