Born to Carry Us Close to: Christmas Glories of the Nice Excessive Priest

Have you ever ever requested why God didn’t ship his Son, Jesus Christ — to be born of a virgin, to stay a sinless life, to die within the place of sinners, to offer everlasting life — two thousand years earlier?

When sin entered the world via Adam’s disobedience, and all of us people ever since have been born sinful (not simply sinning, however sinful by nature) and are bent from start in opposition to God, not loving God, not trusting God, not obeying God, and preferring different issues over God, and when sin entered the world, corrupted the world, and God punished the entire world via the flood and began over with Noah, and when even then it didn’t go nicely and sin stuffed the world, confirming the hopeless situation of the human race — why didn’t God ship Jesus then?

Why didn’t he do this as a substitute of selecting Abraham and the individuals of Israel, and for 2 thousand years giving them prophets who offered Scripture, clergymen who offered sacrifices for sins, and kings who offered steady authorities and safety from enemies? All of those failed to supply a humble, worshipful, obedient individuals for God’s glory. Why, God? Why such an extended, drawn-out historical past of failure?

A part of the reply is that this: God supposed for us at present on this room, on this church, on this metropolis to grasp, belief, treasure, adore, and obey Jesus Christ his Son as a superior prophet over all of the historical past of prophets, a superior priest over all of the historical past of clergymen, and a superior king over all of the historical past of kings. And we might quibble in our vanity that he didn’t want two thousand years for example for us the inadequacy of prophets and clergymen and kings. We might say he might have ready for his Son one other means.

However allow us to put our palms on our mouths and humble ourselves and never presume to show God how finest to introduce the everlasting, divine Son of the residing God to this world. Do we actually know higher than God how you can do such a factor? He is aware of what he’s doing. That is how he has performed it. And the plan for these introduction messages is to let God be God and educate us the wonderful superiority of Jesus as a greater prophet, a greater priest, and a greater king.

Priest Who Lives Endlessly

Our focus on this message is on Christ as the priest who lives ceaselessly and saves to the uttermost. That’s primarily based on Hebrews 7:24–25, which says,

He holds his priesthood completely, as a result of he continues ceaselessly. Consequently, he is ready to save to the uttermost those that draw close to to God via him, since he all the time lives to make intercession for them.

For those who grasp the everlasting permanence of Christ and his priesthood, then you’ll grasp the everlasting permanence of your salvation. So, let’s do two issues: first, let’s concentrate on the prevalence of Christ’s priesthood, which results in its permanence; and second, let’s concentrate on our advantages from this priesthood, which results in our everlasting salvation.

Earlier than we do this, right here’s one fast clarification of what a priest is. It’s in Hebrews 5:1: “Each excessive priest chosen from amongst males is appointed to behave on behalf of males in relation to God, to supply items and sacrifices for sins.” That’s the important job description of a priest. He retains open the best way between man and God by providing sacrifices for sins.

Now, how is Christ a superior priest over the Outdated Testomony clergymen?

Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood

I’ll level you to 6 superiorities, all right here in Hebrews. Then we’ll have a look at the advantages, although they are going to be apparent as we go alongside.

1. Indestructible Life

Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of it was primarily based not on the authorized requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi (the tribe appointed as clergymen, in line with Deuteronomy 18:1) however by the facility of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 7:16 says, “[He] has develop into a priest, not on the idea of a authorized requirement regarding bodily descent, however by the facility of an indestructible life.” Jesus was born within the tribe of Judah, not within the tribe of Levi. Hebrews 7:14 says, “It’s evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in reference to that tribe Moses mentioned nothing about clergymen.” In truth, Judah was the kingly line, the road of David. So, why did the author to the Hebrews make the connection between Jesus and the priesthood?

He did so as a result of he noticed in Psalm 110 that David made the connection between the Messiah and a brand new form of kingly priest. Bear in mind Psalm 110 begins with these well-known phrases, which Jesus utilized to himself within the Gospels: “The Lord [Yahweh] says to my Lord [David’s Lord, the coming Messiah]: ‘Sit at my proper hand, till I make your enemies your footstool’” (Psalm 110:1). So David calls the approaching Messiah his Lord and says that he’ll someday sit like a king at God’s proper hand.

Then in Psalm 110:4, David says, “The Lord [Yahweh] has sworn and won’t change his thoughts, ‘You [David’s Lord and coming Messiah king] are a priest ceaselessly after the order of Melchizedek.’” So, David seemed on the historical past of Israel and the situations of his personal day and noticed that the impact of the priesthood didn’t come something near God’s final goal for his individuals: sacrifice after sacrifice, sin after sin, failure after failure, yr in and yr out, one era of priest freely giving to a different.

And God impressed David to prophesy that there was coming a special form of priest, a Messiah-priest, a king-priest. And David knew the Scriptures. He knew Genesis 14:17–19, which says,

After [Abram’s] return from the defeat of . . . the kings . . . Melchizedek king of Salem introduced out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most Excessive.) [He’s a king and a priest.] And he blessed [Abram] and mentioned, “Blessed be Abram by God Most Excessive, Possessor of heaven and earth.”

And David noticed in Melchizedek a pointer to this unheard-of actuality — specifically, a king who was additionally a priest, and a priest who was additionally a king. And the author to the Hebrews noticed this connection. Genesis 14 and Psalm 110 are the one two locations within the Outdated Testomony the place Melchizedek is talked about. And he sees that David has prophesied that the Christ will probably be “a priest ceaselessly after the order [not of Levi but] of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:4). The author to the Hebrews knew that Jesus was risen from the useless by no means to die once more, and he sees in Melchizedek a pointer to the indestructible lifetime of Christ in the truth that Melchizedek seems mysteriously, with no point out of oldsters and no point out of loss of life, as a king and a priest (Hebrews 7:1–3). And he makes use of David’s language time and again 5 occasions (Hebrews 5:6; 6:20; 7:3, 17, 21): “a priest ceaselessly after the order of Melchizedek” — ceaselessly! An indestructible life.

That’s his first superiority. He holds his priesthood due to an indestructible life.

2. Divine Oath

Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of it was established with a divine oath.

Hebrews 7:20–21 says, “Those that previously turned clergymen had been made such with out an oath, however this one [Christ] was made a priest with an oath by the one who mentioned to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and won’t change his thoughts, “You’re a priest ceaselessly.”’” God took that oath for us. God doesn’t develop into extra sincere by taking an oath, however we get up and pay attention and discover extra assurance due to it. He’s the one priest whom God swore in by his personal oath.

3. Sinless Priest

Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of he didn’t should make sacrifices for his personal sins, since he had none.

Hebrews 7:27 says, “He has no want, like these excessive clergymen, to supply sacrifices day by day, first for his personal sins after which for these of the individuals, since he did this as soon as for all when he supplied up himself.” He had no sin. Hebrews 7:26 says he was “separated from sinners.” Hebrews 4:16 says he was “tempted as we’re, but with out sin.” He was superior in that he by no means needed to sacrifice for his personal sins.

4. Good Sacrifice

Subsequently, Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of he sacrificed not goats and calves however himself, the right sacrifice.

“Oh, how agency and regular and certain and blissful ought to we be as Christ’s individuals. Our souls are anchored — in heaven!”

Hebrews 9:12 says, “He entered as soon as for all into the holy locations, not via the blood of goats and calves however via his personal blood, thus securing an everlasting redemption.” This was essential for us as a result of Hebrews 10:4 says, “It’s unimaginable for the blood of bulls and goats to remove sins.” Solely a sinless, divine king-priest will do. Which means all these lots of of hundreds of sacrifices had been ineffectual in themselves and had been solely efficient as they pointed ahead to Jesus. Christ was our superior priest as a result of he supplied himself.

5. Everlasting Sacrifice

Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of the sacrifice he made is as soon as for all and isn’t to be repeated.

It ends all atoning sacrifices. Hebrews 10:11–12:

Each priest stands day by day at his service, providing repeatedly the identical sacrifices, which may by no means take away sins. However when Christ had supplied forever a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down on the proper hand of God.

That is what Jesus meant when he mentioned, “It’s completed” (John 19:30). The sacrifice was good, full, completed, and by no means to be repeated. It’s legitimate for you ceaselessly.

6. Everlasting Priest

Christ’s priesthood is superior as a result of he won’t ever die and so continues in workplace completely — ceaselessly.

Hebrews 7:23–25 says,

The previous clergymen had been many in quantity, as a result of they had been prevented by loss of life from persevering with in workplace, however he holds his priesthood completely, as a result of he continues ceaselessly. Consequently, he is ready to save to the uttermost those that draw close to to God via him, since he all the time lives to make intercession for them.

These are wonderful realities. He can’t be prevented by loss of life from serving. He holds his priesthood completely. He continues ceaselessly. He all the time makes intercession for us. A priest who by no means dies, a salvation that by no means fails — he was and is a superior priest.

So, Christ is a superior priest at present over all clergymen as a result of

1. he has an indestructible life;
2. he was put in with a divine oath;
3. he was completely sinless;
4. his good sacrifice, subsequently, was himself;
5. it was as soon as for all on the cross, by no means to be repeated; and
6. its saving, interceding impact is ceaselessly.

Advantages of Christ’s Priesthood

That brings us now to the second factor I wish to do — specifically, focus our consideration on the advantages we obtain from this priesthood, which results in our everlasting salvation. I’ll point out 5.

1. Propitiation for Our Offenses

As a result of Jesus is a superior priest, he has propitiated our sins.

Hebrews 2:17 says,

Subsequently he needed to be made like his brothers in each respect, in order that he would possibly develop into a merciful and devoted excessive priest within the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the individuals.

Propitiation is a crucial phrase as a result of it names an essential actuality. And the fact is that the sacrifice of animals couldn’t restore the harm that our sins have performed to the value, magnificence, and greatness of God. God’s infinitely invaluable title and honor have been defamed, belittled, and dishonored hundreds of occasions in your life and mine by how little we’ve got beloved him.

Just one sacrifice can restore such an offense in opposition to infinite value — specifically, an infinite sacrifice, the sinless Son of God. Propitiation is the fact that when he died all the things that was wanted to restore the harm to God’s glory was completed. His wrath was propitiated as soon as for all, his justice was glad, and an entire and ultimate fee was made for all who would draw close to to God via him.

Propitiation is completed. It’s good. It would by no means be repeated. By no means once more will there be wrath towards those that draw close to to God via Jesus.

2. Forgiveness of Our Sin

As a result of Jesus is a superior priest, he places away all of the sins of his individuals.

Hebrews 9:25, “He has appeared as soon as for all on the finish of the ages to place away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” This isn’t the identical as propitiation. That is primarily based on propitiation. First, Christ pays the penalty for our sins, satisfies God’s justice, and removes his wrath. Then, as a result of all accounts are settled, Christ takes away the burden of our sins.

Psalm 103:12 says, “So far as the east is from the west, thus far does he take away our transgressions from us.” Micah 7:18–19 says, “Who’s a God such as you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? . . . You’ll forged all our sins into the depth of the ocean.” Isaiah 38:17 says, “You will have forged all my sins behind your again.” You actually can take pleasure in a transparent and unburdened conscience.

3. Permanence of Our Salvation

As a result of Jesus is a superior priest, he gives an everlasting salvation.

Hebrews 5:9 says, “Being made good, he turned the supply of everlasting salvation to all who obey him.” Obedience is how we reply when Christ says, “Belief me. Treasure me above others. Draw close to to God via me.” What else would we wish to do with such a superior priest however obey such nice instructions? And by that belief, we’ve got everlasting salvation.

Or Hebrews 7:24–25 says it one other means: “He holds his priesthood completely, as a result of he continues ceaselessly. Consequently, he is ready to save to the uttermost those that draw close to to God via him, since he all the time lives to make intercession for them.” Our salvation is everlasting not solely as a result of the sacrifice was good and as soon as for all but in addition as a result of Jesus lives ceaselessly. What he does ceaselessly is symbolize to the Father, in his wounds, that each one is nicely. The money owed are paid. And this goes on ceaselessly. Jesus won’t ever stop to be our good advocate earlier than the Father. And the Father will thus by no means stop to be our buddy, our Father.

4. Anchor of Our Souls

As a result of Jesus is a superior priest, he’s a steadfast anchor of the soul.

As a result of God is propitiated, our sins are taken away from us, and our salvation is everlasting, Jesus brings profound steadiness into our lives. Hebrews 6:19 says, “We’ve got this as a certain and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the internal place backstage.” It’s an odd and wonderful image. The anchor isn’t sunk to the underside of the ocean. The anchor is up into heaven via the holy place into the Holy of Holies and hooked over the altar of the covenant, the place the blood of Jesus has been shed. Your life can’t be sunk within the tumults of this world.

Oh, how agency and regular and certain and blissful ought to we be as Christ’s individuals. Our souls are anchored — in heaven!

5. Assist for Our Weaknesses

As a result of Jesus is a superior priest, he offers gently and sympathetically with us, and he opens the best way to come back to God and obtain from him all the things we have to honor him and love individuals.

Hebrews 4:15–16 says,

We wouldn’t have a excessive priest who’s unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, however one who in each respect has been tempted as we’re, but with out sin. Allow us to then with confidence draw close to to the throne of grace, that we might obtain mercy and discover grace to assist in time of want.

The upshot of all these advantages — God’s wrath being propitiated, our sins being buried within the depths of the ocean, having an everlasting salvation, and having an anchor for the soul — is that at present, this very day, Jesus is alive with all authority over the earth. He’s our advocate, our intercessor. He’s sympathetic and delicate. He has opened the best way for you and me to method God’s throne confidently as a throne of grace.

And from there we obtain all the assistance we want in each scenario, even in our struggling, in order that even there we will rejoice. We will be like these loopy, fantastic Christians in chapter 10: “You had compassion on these in jail, and also you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, because you knew that you simply yourselves had a greater possession and an abiding one” (Hebrews 10:34). They had been anchored in heaven due to the work of their superior priest.

So, preach to your self: “I’ve a priest who lives ceaselessly and saves to the uttermost.”