Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
December 12, 2023: SOAP #5122: Hebrews 5-8

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews (NIV) 7:23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

OBSERVATION:  A prophet is one sent from God with God’s message.  A priest is one chosen from among men who approaches God on behalf of man.  For Jesus, the Son of God, to be a priest, it was necessary for Him to enter the stream of humanity as a baby human.  He laid aside His divinity and took on the limitations of humanity.  Having no earthly father, he entered humanity as Adam had first been created, without sin.

The Perfect Priest needed a Perfect Sacrifice.  And for that He provided Himself, His own life.  The sacrifice was once, and for all time.  It has been completed.  It is sufficient to cover all the sins of man.  Yes, the sacrifice is complete, but Jesus remains our Priest, our High Priest!   He still bears the scars of His sacrifice before our Heavenly Father.  He still represents man before God.  He lives forever as our permanent priest!

APPLICATION:  Knowing that I have God’s own Son as my Perfect Priest standing before God the Father bearing the scars of His Perfect Sacrifice — what could be too great a sacrifice for me to make for Him?   I am humbled beyond words.  My life is not my own!

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, I am so undeserving of your great sacrifice and of having you represent me before the throne of heaven.  Saying “thank you” is where I start but it cannot be where my appreciation ends.  All I am and all I have is yours. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!   
On Facebook:  Today’s SOAP from Pastor Leon