OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

Sunday, March 2, 2014, the Year of Our Lord

Pastor Carolyn Sissom

Heb. 4: 14-16:  “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 a high priest which 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 to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Jesus Christ is our great High Priest, dying for us on the cross---living for us now in heaven.

Jesus has done it all!  However, Christ’s death does not leave us inactive or indifferent.  True our best deeds are of no value as regards our salvation.  We cannot merit eternal life.  But for this reason, the apostle is urging to diligence and steadfastness that we are to “hold fast the profession” of our faith without wavering.

Seeing that he has opened the gates which were barred against us, we are to seek to enter in.

Isaiah 26: 1-3:  “In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah (praise); we have a strong city (New Jerusalem); salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.  Open you the gates that the righteous nation (Kingdom of God) which keeps the truth may enter in.  You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You; because He trusts in You

Isaiah is given a glimpse of the glorified City of God and one of the keys to the Kingdom.  This chapter is known as Judah’s (praise) Kingdom Song.  It opens with praise for the Lord’s faithfulness and mercies.  This great song proclaims the Day of Jehovah’s ultimate victory.  It is praise for the deliverance and establishment of the City of our God (New Jerusalem/ the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven). 

The deep secret or one of the keys of the mystery of this realm of Glory to the City of God is the mind that is stayed on Him in faith. 

For those who have entered in to the Kingdom of God through this “key” of perfect peace and trust (i.e. faith), we are “in that day”.

21:25:  And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day:  for there shall be no night there.  And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations to it.”

Seeing that Christ has purchased His Kingdom blessings, for time and eternity, we are now invited to drawn near to His throne of grace and mercy.

Psalm 24:7:  “Lift up your heads, O you gates; and be you lifted up, you everlasting doors; and the King of Glory shall come in.”

As we approach the season of the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection Glory, let us rejoice that Christ bore our sins, suffered for them and carried them into the land of forgetfulness.  Jesus has washed us in His own most precious blood, and has clothed us with the robe of His imputed righteousness.  We are invited to come boldly before His throne. 

“We have not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but one who was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.”

When Jesus burst the bonds of death and ascended to the right hand of God, He neither resigned His priestly office, nor laid aside His humanity.  He was, and still is, both God and the Son of man.  He was, and still is, a merciful and faithful High Priest, ---never weary of His office---never forgetting or abandoning it, ---never overlooking the wants and necessities of those whom He loves, and for whom He intercedes.

“It is finished” is gloriously inscribed on the Priest’s work as the Son of man.  “It never ceases” is gloriously written on His work as our Intercessor with the Father.  Jesus appears at the right hand of the Majesty on high, clothed in priestly vesture.  The names of the true Israel are on His shoulders---a token that all His strength is ours to protect us.  The names on His breast are a token that while His heart beats, it beats for us.  The voice of His pleading ever sounds and ever prevails, “Father forgive them,” and they are forgiven; “Father have mercy on them,” and mercies speed on rapid wing.  The incense of His intercession ever rise, “Father bless them” and we are blessed; “Father, smile on them” and it is light around our path. 

Jesus lovingly takes our every offering of prayer, praise and service; and perfumes all with the rich fragrance of His merits.  He makes all worthy in His own worthiness.  We have a Friend who is our Brother above who can sympathize as no other can.  We have an Intercessor who can plead more powerfully than we are able to conceive in our finite minds---whose eye of love is on each one of us to assist, sustain and comfort.

“He can be touched,”---He has learned sympathy by suffering.  Until we have participated in his sufferings, we are all selfish, shallow, often cruel, and unfeeling to the suffering of others.  In the midst of His glory, His spiritual body yet bears the print of the nails; and upon His side, the scar of the wound inflected by the Roman spear.  The crown of universal glory will never obliterate the record of the crown of thorns.  “passed into the heavens,” He is still as keenly “touched with the feeling of our infirmities,” as when he stood weeping beside the grave of Lazarus; or, as when He hung upon the cross, committing His bereaved mother to the care of His beloved disciple.

He is able to sympathize with all the sorrow and infirmities to which His people are exposed.  “In that He himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to help them who are tempted.” 

He was, and is, so is He, and so will He ever be, “the Man Christ Jesus,” very God and very Man.  Such is our great High Priest---divine in His ability, and human in His sympathy.  Amid earth’s painful trials and temptations; and amid its unwelcome changes, dangers and duties, it is such a High priest that we stand in need of.

Who is the man you would desire to visit you in your grief?  Who is the friend to whom you would make yourself vulnerable when the world frowned upon you, and the dark cloud gathered around you?  Who is the guide you would consult, when you have lost your path, and wandered on in the mazes of uncertainty?  Surely one who had travelled the same road---who has drunk the same cup of woe, and endured the same fiery furnace.

Our Savior can be “touched with the feeling of our infirmities”.

Thus it is that we are able to take to him the secret yearnings of our heart that we cannot share with anyone else.  He will not judge us, nor reject us, but through His gracious intervention in all our weaknesses, our woes, our burdens and our infirmities, the path before is made plain and simple. ”He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” 

Christ Jesus---our High Priest and Intercessor---our sympathizing Brother---is the only medium of prayer.  There is no access to the Father but through Him.  The great invitation to draw near to God is, Jesus, at the right hand of God.  He is our interceding High Priest---He is our Advocate with the Father---our Kinsman-Redeemer within the veil.

Ask nothing in your own name, but ask everything in the name of Jesus.  “Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.”   “having therefore brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, when He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh---and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near.

This year 2014, has blown in to the world with strong force.  I believe this is the testimony of most of the front line warriors.  Christian, whatever you are facing, whether it is a trial of your faith, illness, family relationships, financial distress, do not waste your energy brooding over the circumstances.  Bring it to the throne of grace.  The longer you bear the burden under which you groan the more hopeless and wretched you will become.  If you take it to the foot of the Cross, you will assuredly obtain relief.

The very act of taking it will inspire hope; and when we cast it on the tenderness and sympathy of Our Great High Priest, we are able to say, “I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Plead earnestly, as David did, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; according unto the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.”

Surely, it is a comfort to know we are invited to bring our wishes, cares and anxieties to One, who knows how to pity and help---who longs to show “mercy,” and to impart “graces to help in every time of need.”

The Savior’s heart is a human heart---a tender heart---a sinless heart.  He is still unchanged.  He loves to chase grief from the troubled spirit, and to bind up the broken heart; to stanch the bleeding wound, and to dry the weeping eye; “to comfort all that mourn.”  Religious pride hides sin.  God cannot cover a man’s sin until we uncover it.  That does not mean every place is a safe place to vent.  I am speaking of being honest with ourselves before God.  Pride makes excuses.  The wall of pride blocks the Holy Spirit of truth from setting us free.  Pride is arrogant enough to defend ourselves before God.  Jesus’ blood is the only covering for our sin.

Pride says, “I will fix it and God can’t see it” (Cain). 

Jesus longs for us to come to him so he can show us mercy and to impart grace to help in every time of need.  If we will bare our wound to One, who was wounded as none ever was wounded, then, in our affliction turn to the “merciful and faithful High Priest”, He will pour the balm of Gilead into all of our wounds. 

He can be touched with the feeling of your infirmity and your sorrow.  So completely---so truly---is He one with us, that nothing can affect us, that does not instantly touch Him.  Temptations from Satan, persecutions from man, struggles with an evil heart, tribulations, dangers and fears are all known to Him and He cares for us.

Tender, to Him are we, as the apple of His eye.  Our happiness, our peace, necessities, and discouragements---are all, to Him, subjects of deepest interest.  He chose to die for us to be able to have access to this great grace and mercy.  The deep secret of the “key” to His throne is the mind that is stayed on Him in Faith. 

He desires to give us the joy unspeakable and full of glory now.  He is with us now.  His faithfulness never falters---His love never changes---His tenderness never lessens---His patience never wearies---His grace never decays.

It is ever His delight, to prove Himself as the strength of our fainting heart and the support of our sinking soul; to visit in the hour of sorrow and calamity  breathing the breathe of the Holy Spirit and the music of heaven into our soul.

Lay down the stumbling block of Religious Pride and Vain glory of being a super hot-shot Christian that has it all figured out.  Super religious people and Super ministers have the hardest time getting past that wall into the Throne of grace and mercy to allow the Holy Spirit of Truth to enter in and open up the gates that the King of Glory may come in to our hearts.

Trust in Him, and He will be with us, in life, in death, and in eternity; for His word is---“No man shall pluck them out of my hand”  “He will not let you fall”.

Lord Jesus of all power and might, we come today, trusting in your almighty strength, your infinite goodness, and your gracious promises.  I come, to ask of you whatsoever is wanting in me that you take it to the Father and enrich me with spiritual renewal and blessings.

Whatever sin or infirmity that is in me, O Lord, forgive me, and give me the grace to overcome it.  Thank you Jesus that you are with us every where, and at all times, in health,  in sickness, in prosperity, in trouble, and in all the events and circumstances of our lives.  That you will never leave us nor forsake us and you will not let us fall.  Thank you Lord that we are dwelling with you in heavenly places enjoying your love and presently inheriting your glory now and forevermore---Amen

Scripture from K.J.V.

I entered into the labors of the Throne of Grace by John Ross MacDuff – in the public domain in the United
States of America, published by Alexander Strahan, 148 Strand, London – 1865.  Excerpt from Bible Study notes on Isaiah 26 by: Pastor Carolyn Sissom.   Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those whom I entered into their labors.