Preschool
The Lord is the strength of my life (Psalm 27:1).
Our Loving High Priest
Memory Verses
Primary
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (Psalm 27:1).
Junior
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1).
Background Scripture: Hebrews 5, 7
Lesson Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-10
Introduction
The office of the high priest is a significant topic in the book of Hebrews. While a beautiful and compelling subject, it is also one that has far-reaching effects on our relationship with God and having a fulfilling and productive Christian life.
May a sense of wonder and gratitude infuse our hearts as we ponder the role Jesus fills for us. “Our Loving High Priest” is only a simple statement but abounding with depth and meaning. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” said Jesus (John 15:13). He is our Friend and Advocate and deserving of our praise.
Key Verse
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:25).
Lesson Scripture
Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:
2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.
4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Studying the Lesson
For good reason, the epistle to the Hebrews contains more Old Testament references than any other book of the New Testament. Today this inspiring epistle enjoys a wide audience, but when written, it was primarily directed to the Hebrews, the Jewish people. These people had been absorbed in the Mosaic Law for many generations, and now momentous change was upon them. Change, even when it is right, can be difficult. We also face the same urge to resist change at times.
The high priesthood of Aaron served a necessary function, but in a larger sense, it was but the shadow of a greater and sublime perfection: the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was the fulfillment of the symbolic Old Testament law, a law which required animal sacrifice and the continual need for the shedding of blood. Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, does not need to offer endless sacrifices. He offered Himself once and for all as the ultimate sacrifice.
Today we have the benefit of hindsight and more clearly understand the mandate of the high priest as intercessor between God and man. However, better knowledge does not lessen the need for spiritual discernment and obedience. Our day is a time of much confusion and deception, but we will be safe as our allegiance remains steadfast to our eternal and loving High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is our blessing, opportunity, and great responsibility.
In the Bible, the first priest mentioned is Melchisedec, “the priest of the most high God” (Gen. 14:18). Melchisedec is a mysterious figure, but mysterious or not, he has the approval of Scripture. The priesthood of Jesus Christ is compared thus “for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” This priesthood is vastly superior to the priesthood of Aaron. Jesus Christ is an eternal High Priest, confirming by his love and sacrifice a new and better covenant for all time.
Practical Truths for Today
The office of the high priest may seem like an ancient order, part of the Old Testament dispensation, but such thoughts must be dispelled. Despite its antiquity, the office of the high priest remains as relevant as ever and is an essential element in the plan of salvation. It was relevant in the past and will remain needful for all of time’s duration. The sacrifice and work of Jesus, our High Priest, must be regarded with utmost seriousness and held in highest esteem. He is the One who pleads our cause before the Father. Whoever we are, we are not worthy of any favors or entitlement. It is crucial that we humbly admit our dependency on our loving High Priest. There is no other way.
Our High Priest is also the Great Shepherd. Christ is fully invested in the community of believers. He is High Priest over the house of God, but He is just as concerned when one solitary individual needs help and advocacy. The Shepherd is not willing that the straying lamb go into the wilderness of danger and temptation and will do his best to effect a rescue (Matt. 18:11-14).
We accept in faith that there must be an intercessor to approach God’s throne of grace and forgiveness. When our eyes are opened to our sinful condition, we understand we are no different than our first parents in the garden of Eden. We, too, have that tendency to hide and justify ourselves, but in the depths of our heart where the truth is known, we soon realize our unworthiness to be in the presence of our Maker.
Our High Priest knows our motives. He understands us better than we understand ourselves. Not only does He understand us, but He also shares our humanity. Our High Priest was a common, humble Man and many times called himself the Son of man. He knows about temptations, physical and spiritual pain, disappointments, weariness, and poverty. He learned obedience through suffering. We are taught by his example that suffering, whether just or unjust, is a necessary part of our spiritual journey.
Is it possible to belittle the work of Jesus as High Priest? Chapters six and ten of Hebrews tell of those who, having received all the blessings of salvation, fall away. They are in reality saying, “There is no power in the crucifixion and suffering of Jesus and the shedding of his blood. It has done nothing for me.” When we have received the knowledge of the truth but turn away and willfully sin, God’s grace no longer covers us. We are greatly disrespecting Jesus’s ultimate sacrifice. He was treated like a common criminal, and He died for our sins and paid the price in blood. Not only that, but He now goes before the Father and advocates our cause. He gave us his love without precondition, loving us when we were yet unlovable. How then could we ever turn from Christ Jesus, the Lover of our soul? Life offers no greater ambition than serving our Lord Jesus with courage, love, and unwavering fidelity to the end of our days.
For a sincere, long-term Christian, it would seem that the intercession of the High Priest would not be needed so often. In all honesty, very little time goes by where such intercession is not needed. Our humanity is on display every day. We can easily relate with the apostle Paul: “O wretched man that I am!” (Rom. 7:24). Admitting our need and dealing with our indulgent self-will and contrary spirit is essential. This is how we stay on the pilgrim-and-stranger road.
When we read the inspired words, “God so loved the world” (John 3:16), we must recognize it is not just talk; it is action of the highest sort. This is what true love really is. God provides a way to defeat the merciless tyranny of sin. We must not frustrate the sanctifying work of the High Priest in our personal life, our family, and the community at large.
A prayer: Help us, Lord, to willingly take up the mandate of priesthood in our own life (1 Pet. 2:9). Help us to pattern our life by your good and loving example as High Priest, that it would be our guiding light in these tumultuous times. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Questions
- Are there special ways to express our love and appreciation for our High Priest’s role in our salvation?
- How is a Christian to be an intercessor? How do we properly intercede when friends and loved ones lose the way?
- As a young person and Christian believer, list some ways of reaching out in heart-felt love.
- According to 1 Peter 2:9, a born-again Christian is in a priesthood. This is a charge and a responsibility. How does our heart language and conduct bear witness to this?
Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).