STP Devotional for the Week of 10/14/24
Have you ever been on a tour in a museum? The tour guide led you through the museum
exhibits, taught you more about them, and answered any questions you may have had. They
were an expert that you could count on to learn more about the subjects in the museum.
Did you know there were special guides in the Bible? They weren’t tour guides, but they did lead God’s people to know His ways and enjoy Him. They were called priests. These were men called by God, and their job was to take care of all things pertaining to God.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of
men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Hebrews 5:1
These Old Testament priests served as the go-between for God and His people. They offered sacrifices for sin, for atonement, or to ask for forgiveness. Their main job was to guide people to worship the one true God. The priests also were to be kind to the people and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins. God used the priests to show the people that they could not save themselves.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with
weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as
he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only
when called by God, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5:2-4
All of the priests in the OT served temporary roles that pointed to the Perfect Priest - Jesus.
How is Jesus the Perfect Priest? Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for sin so that in Him, we never have to sacrifice for sin again. He satisfied God’s requirement for atonement once and for all. We have Jesus as our High Priest and, like a good tour guide, we follow Him and He leads us to a life that glorifies God. He understands our troubles and weaknesses so that we can take anything to Him and He will sympathize with us. Through Jesus, we can pray directly to the Father.
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been
tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16
Like the people of the past, we cannot save ourselves, but we have the Perfect High Priest,
Jesus. Unlike the previous priests whose roles were temporary, Jesus saves us permanently.
The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death
from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he
continues forever. Hebrews 7:23-24
The best part is NOW. Where is Jesus? He is seated at the right hand of the Father praying for us. This is a great encouragement!
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God
through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
Jesus lives to intercede for us. That means more than just praying for us; He speaks with God
the Almighty Father on our behalf. It’s wonderful to know that Jesus is our Perfect High Priest
who has saved us completely, who intercedes for us continuously, and who is our permanent
guide to God. Are you following Him?
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