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Prepare: To get to my mum’s house, there are two or three ways to go – but the final part of the journey is always the same. If you were to draw a map of your journey towards God, what would it look like?
The priest’s role
The first three verses explain clearly what a high priest is supposed to do. This role was established after the Israelites had left Egypt. He stood between God and people, acting vicariously, taking the needs of the people to God and speaking to the people of God.
As men themselves, high priests could understand and help the people, but they also had to offer sacrifices for their own sins. Israel’s history contains examples of sinful priestly behaviour as well as good.
The perfect sacrifice
Jesus, however, is uniquely qualified to be appointed high priest. He fully understands our nature as he is like us in every way. But he committed no sin, and ‘became obedient to death’ (Philippians 2:8), himself becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
As high priest, Jesus enters into God’s presence with the offering of his own blood, which is acceptable to God as ultimate payment for the sin of the whole world. The only way for us to come to God is through Jesus (John 14:6). We can’t come by ourselves – Jesus is the only one who can take us.
Respond: ‘There was no other good enough willing to pay the price of sin, For he was the only one who could save us, and unlock the gates of heaven to let us in’ (Phil Baggaley, Dave Clifton and Ian Blythe © 2001 Little Room Music).
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-02-29
The priest’s role
The first three verses explain clearly what a high priest is supposed to do. This role was established after the Israelites had left Egypt. He stood between God and people, acting vicariously, taking the needs of the people to God and speaking to the people of God.
As men themselves, high priests could understand and help the people, but they also had to offer sacrifices for their own sins. Israel’s history contains examples of sinful priestly behaviour as well as good.
The perfect sacrifice
Jesus, however, is uniquely qualified to be appointed high priest. He fully understands our nature as he is like us in every way. But he committed no sin, and ‘became obedient to death’ (Philippians 2:8), himself becoming the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
As high priest, Jesus enters into God’s presence with the offering of his own blood, which is acceptable to God as ultimate payment for the sin of the whole world. The only way for us to come to God is through Jesus (John 14:6). We can’t come by ourselves – Jesus is the only one who can take us.
Respond: ‘There was no other good enough willing to pay the price of sin, For he was the only one who could save us, and unlock the gates of heaven to let us in’ (Phil Baggaley, Dave Clifton and Ian Blythe © 2001 Little Room Music).
http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-02-29
Scripture
About this Plan
WordLive provides a daily slice of Bible reading and commentary that, over four years, covers most of the Bible. The commentary encourages the reader to engage with the Bible passage in order to deepen their relationship with God, through reflection and practical application. The WordLive website offers further multimedia content and group Bible study, while registration offers a daily email, journal and bookmarking, and community tools.
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We would like to thank Scripture Union England & Wales for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: www.wordlive.org/youversion
