The Lord...Our High Priest

"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.  For we have not an high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  Heb. 4:14-16

China cup day!  What a gift of love God gave to us in His Son, Jesus!

  The long anticipated day had arrived - the Day of Atonement -- and, like any young Jewish girl of her day, Ruth had longed all year for this very moment ... "Oh, how I had looked forward to this day.  It was a glorious day, a day I had cherished in my heart.  I hurried toward the tabernacle with a throng of people, hoping beyond hope to see the high priest before he entered into the tabernacle.  I knew he would soon be entering the holy of holies to offer the yearly sacrifice for the sins of the people.  I thought if I could just see him enter the tent, if I could hear the bells jingle on the edge of his robe, it would be like I entered into the very presence of Jehovah God!  Oh, how I needed that cleansing of my heart.  My heart was already dancing for joy, knowing that God would hear my prayer of confession and accept the sacrifice of my heart. I was never as satisfied as I was on the Day of Atonement."

  What a glorious truth for us today as believers, that Jesus Christ is our High Priest, that our Day of Atonement has already come to complete fruition.  Jesus was our sacrifice that we might have forgiveness of sin and enter with Him into the very presence of God Almighty.  As our High Priest, Jesus "ever liveth to make intercession" if we "come boldly before the throne of grace."  I love that we can come to Jesus about anything ... to tell Him how we feel, what we think, how we want to act, knowing He sympathizes with us, will encourage us, minister to us, and, most importantly, go the the Father on our behalf in prayer.  Don't you love that Jesus will give grace in time of need?

  It is in our daily time of prayer that Jesus can offer our lives as a "living sacrifice" and that he truly gets to take on His role of High Priest.  It is there that He gives to the Father our praise and worship, our thanksgiving and love.  It is because of Jesus that we can enter into the very presence of our Heavenly Father and have fellowship with Him.  I am thankful we don't have to wait for just one day a year to offer our sacrifice or ask for forgiveness, but that we have that  privilege each day all day long.  Thank you, Jesus, for your sacrifice on the cross for us.  May our lives be a sweet-smelling savor of sacrifice to our God.