Fred's Devotional # 54 "Christ, Our Perfect High Priest"

Today's Devotional was written by Bill Bauerle

Hebrews 7:26-28:
"For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever."

The Levitical priesthood were themselves sinful men and had to offer sacrifice, daily, for themselves before they could for the people. On the other hand Christ is holy, innocent, undefiled and separated from sin and it was fitting (necessary) that Christ would be such, in that, His sacrifice could then be permanent. The sacrifice of priests had to be made over and over, but Christ’s sacrifice was a once for all thing and it was in His perfect sacrifice that we could be clothed with His righteousness. The old system shows us that trying harder could never accomplish salvation, where as, Christ's obedience is able to provide salvation for his covenant people. While the Old Testament priest may have had a true heart for the people of Israel, they did not have the ability to save them, nor could they even save themselves. Christ on the other hand needed no salvation for Himself and therefore what he merited in His sacrifice could then be reckoned to His people.

In the finished work of Christ we have perfect salvation, and empowering for us to live as obedient children.

Bill

Have a blessed Lord’s day