Good Friday

G. Friday

April 3, 2015

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

“Christ, Our Great High Priest”

The entire concept of a priest may have lost some of its significance for us since we no longer observe the sacrificial system of the Old Testament.  But when the New Testament tells us that Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest this is wonderful news for us.  Let’s see how Christ fulfills this important office for us.

Jesus Christ is a priest called by God. 

In the Old Testament, God called priests. (5:4) 

No one could usurp the office. 

Priests were called of God, as was Aaron (Ex. 28)

God as the great High Priest designated Christ. Christ did not glorify Himself. (5:5) The Father declared Him His eternal Son. (5:5) The Father declared Him a priest. (5:6)

As priest, Christ offers Himself and obtained eternal redemption (5:9) 

Priests offered up sacrifices for sins. (5:1) 

They offered for their own sins. (5:3) 

This made them compassionate toward the sins of others. (5:2)

They offered sacrifices for the sins of others. Christ offered the sacrifice of Himself. 

He was tempted, yet without sin. (4:15). 

He kept God’s law for us. He learned obedience by the things that He suffered. (5:8; Philippians 2:8) 

All who in faith obey receive the benefit. (5:8)

Christ is still functioning as our priest (5:8) 

Priests like Aaron died and had to be replaced. Christ still lives. (Ephesians 1:20-23; Philippians 2:9-11) 

He passed into heaven. (4:4) 

As our intercessor, He can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. (4:15)

Let us hold fast our profession. (4:14) Let us come boldly to the throne of grace. (4:15)

Good Friday is a day to give thanks to God for designating Christ to be our High Priest and to Christ for having obtained eternal salvation for us.  Let us come boldly to the throne of grace and hold fast to our profession.

___________

Words –323

Passive Sentences –3%

Readability –75%

Reading Level -5.3