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Enjoying God Blog

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The book of Hebrews devotes considerable space to the glorious truth that the high priesthood of Jesus, which is according to the order not of Aaron but of Melchizedek, is superior to everything that preceded him and all that may follow. Continue reading . . .

The book of Hebrews devotes considerable space to the glorious truth that the high priesthood of Jesus, which is according to the order not of Aaron but of Melchizedek, is superior to everything that preceded him and all that may follow.

But what difference does it make to you and me that we now know Jesus is our Great High Priest? I’d like to mention two things.

First, it means that you and I can finally and forever put an end to the vain and useless attempt to bridge the gap between us and God. Stop trying to do what Jesus has already done!

Do you have any idea of how different your life would be if you just stopped trying to make atonement for your own sin and receive by faith the atonement that Jesus has already provided?

“But Sam, I’m not trying to atone for my sin?” Oh, really? Then why is your church attendance so often driven by the secret thought deep in your soul: “God will love me more because I’m here today. I sure hope he took time to notice.”

Or again, “God has to be impressed with how much I put in the offering box. Maybe now he’ll give me that promotion at work and I can afford that new laptop I’ve wanted for so long.”

Or again, “I wonder if God noticed that I didn’t look at pornography all last week. That’s quite an accomplishment that ought to prove my holiness and moral worth. I hope he’s impressed with me.”

You see, what’s wrapped up in Jesus being your High Priest is that you suddenly realize that not all the good intentions in the world can atone or make up for your failures in life. It means that not only is it futile to offer up the blood of bulls and goats and sacrificial lambs in hopes that it will bring peace to your guilty conscience, but that you should forever stop offering up on the altar your tears and your regrets and your apologies and your promises to do better next time.

The only sacrifice of any sort that has any effect on God and does anything of worth in bridging the chasm between you and him caused by your sin is that which Jesus offered: namely, himself.

The second indescribably massive difference that it makes in your life is the realization that you now have ready at hand someone who really does know what you’re facing, what you’re feeling, whether it be fear or doubt or worry or uncertainty.

And this one who knows also cares. A lot of people in your life who might know a lot about you end up not caring, or at least not to the degree that you need them to care. But Jesus does. And he stands ready, willing, available, and infinitely able to help you with whatever mercy and grace and power you need to confront whatever enemy is in your way.

1 Comment

amen. I love the book of Hebrews- how it so beautifully speaks of our great High Priest and Savior –Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith; a bringing in of the better hope through which we draw near to God; able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him since He always lives to make intercession for them

The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind –Jesus is a priest forever and the guarantee of a better covenant!
This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord; I will put My laws onto their minds, and I will write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people and they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know me, from the least to the greatest of them; f or I will be merciful to their iniquities and I will remember their sins no more!

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