Bulletin (6/27/21): Christ our Great High Priest

 

Our Great High Priest

“after the order of Melchizedek.”

(Pastor Terry L. Reese, Valley GBC, Armagh, PA; 6/27/2021)

 

I. OT Levitic/Aaronic Priests offered sacrifices unto God on behalf of the people for the cleansing of sin, serving as mediators between God and man, representing the people before God.

 

The importance of their sacrifices.

1. Holding back the outbreak of the wrath of a Holy God

who dwelt uniquely amongst the Hebrew Nation.

2. Picturing the future atoning work of Messiah (Heb. 10:1)

 

The limitations of their work: The blood of animals could not answer as our saving propitiation (Heb. 10:1-4).

 

II. The Better Way: JESUS, the MESSIAH, the ultimate High Priest who offered a once-for-all sacrifice unto the Father of infinite and everlasting value (namely, Himself) on behalf of His people. He is thus both offering and offeror (Heb. 1:3, 9:11-12, 10:9-14; 1 John 1:7). 

 

A. His Priesthood is that of Melchizedek—of a higher order than that of Aaron (Gen. 14:18-20; Ps.110:4; Heb. 6:19-20, 7:1-28).

 

B. The Post-Ascension Priestly Ministries of Christ.

We have a sympathetic & merciful High Priest (Heb. 2:17-18, 4:14-16) who is alive and who ever ministers on our behalf, bringing us nigh unto God, ever interceding on our behalf! (Heb. 7:23-25; Rom. 8:34; 1John 2:1-2).