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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Celia Bowring and are based on Hebrews 5 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Isaiah 53
Ch 4:14 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. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been 16 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.
Ch 5:4 And no one takes this honour for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high
priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered 9 and being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Sun September 22 - Sinless, and yet he understands ...not a high priest unable to sympathise with our weaknesses... but in
every respect tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15
Every high priest of Israel had to be of the tribe of Levi and a descendent of Moses’ brother Aaron, whom God appointed to serve the Israelites during their 40 years of wandering in the desert. The Book of Leviticus describes how high priests were consecrated to mediate between a holy God and a sinful people. The sacrifices they continually offered, substituting an innocent animal in place of a guilty human being, satisfied God’s justice and demonstrated his mercy. The climax of the year was Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), when the high priest entered the most sacred part of the tabernacle, and later the temple, where God’s presence dwelt, confessing first his own and then the people’s sin, offering special sacrifices to receive forgiveness and a fresh start.
All these high priests had many human frailties, starting with Aaron who actually allowed the construction and worship of a golden calf whilst Moses received the Ten Commandments from God at Mount Sinai! They were painfully aware of the universal effects of sin and sympathised with the people.
The Lord Jesus Christ is different. Although not from Aaron’s line, he is our totally pure and sinless High Priest, the risen Son of God. He endured the severest temptation anyone had ever known, yet triumphed over evil. He understands our shortcomings and responds to us with tender loving kindness.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being our perfect High Priest, who knows our frailty and sympathises with our weakness because you too were tempted. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY