July 08, 2021: SOAP #4235:  Hosea 13-14; Psalm 100, 102; Hebrews 5

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. … 4 No-one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. …
5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”…
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

OBSERVATION: The high priest who served in the Tabernacle of Moses represented the people before God. In keeping with His holiness and perfect justice, God required that the high priest be chosen from among those they represented. They had to understand those they were representing.

And so, when the Perfect High Priest came, He was born in a manger and grew up among men.  He was tempted in every way as were those whose sins He would carry on the cross to die.  He was tempted but did not sin.  Since he grew up and lived among men, He understood the temptations and trials of life.  Since He had no sin for which to pay, His sacrifice is accepted as the payment for my sin!

APPLICATION:  I have a High Priest who understands me.  He knows what it is to be tempted.  And since He overcame temptation, He can help me overcome temptation. 

He lived a victorious life, and the life He now lives in me is a victorious life!  The life He now lives in me has already overcome death!   His life has already been in the grave and been resurrected.

PRAYER: Holy Spirit, help me to live in the victory of Jesus.  Keep fresh in my mind what Jesus had done for me.  Keep me aware that Jesus lives in me. Keep reminding me that the resurrected Jesus is living in me!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!