Hebrews 7:25-27
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.“
The Old Testament sacrificial system was a shadow of what Jesus offered us. The high priest would intercede for the people, making atonement for their sins once a year on the Day of Atonement. Of course, the priest would have to atone for his own sin first. The sacrifice was only good enough for a year. Sin offerings for individuals had to be repeated as often as they sinned, but corporate sin offerings for the entire nation had to be repeated once a year. The high priest was the intermediary between God and men. He was the spiritual head of the nation–responsible for making sure the people understood what God required and that God received the worship He was due.
Jesus changed the sacrificial system. His blood was enough to pay the price for sin in full. He offered atonement once for all. He does not have to continually offer sacrifice for the sins of His people. It is finished. Jesus understands our plight. He lived among us. He was tempted in every way, just as we are, but He did not sin. He is the perfect intermediary between God and man. Not only does He demonstrate what God requires, but His blood and the Holy Spirit offer us the grace to accomplish it. So Jesus is our permanent high priest. He is able to save all of us who come to Him because of His work on the cross. He is able to intercede on our behalf before the Father, and He is able to enable us to live righteous lives.
Father, I thank you that Jesus paid the price for my sin. His blood was more than enough. He didn’t just cover my sin; He covered all sin. I don’t have to sacrifice every time I sin. I don’t have to sacrifice once a year. Jesus has paid the price in full. Now I can obtain grace to help me live above sin. I can look at Jesus’ perfect example and know what God desires of me, and with Jesus’ help and the help of the Holy Spirit, I can fulfill it. Thank you that we have a high priest who intercedes for us without ceasing. We have a high priest who understands what temptations come our way. We have high priest who is able to save us and bring us to God. Thank you, God, for your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Beautiful Mess 