Jesus Offered Up Himself for our Sins

 Hebrews 7:24-27, "But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."

 This passage speaks about the priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.  His ministry is not after the order of the priesthood of Aaron, but after that of Melchizedek.  Notice a comparison of these two priesthoods, which is really contrasting:

            Priesthood of Jesus                               Priesthood of Aaron

 1.   Continuing forever                       Priest died, allowing for many priests

2.   Able to save to the uttermost         Unable to save at all

3.   He is holy without sin                    Priest were sinners like us

I thank God for the Lord Jesus who as a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, once and for all offered up Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  The Bible declares that "...by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us" (Hebrews 9:12).  May we spread the tidings all around, "Jesus Saves, Jesus Saves."

 Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

MEDITATIONS

1.  How does it influence you to know that Jesus Christ has an unchangeable priesthood?

2.  Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is the only sacrifice we need.  How is His sacrifice different from those offered in the Old Testament?

3.  Study the priestly ministry of Melchizedek.  How does Jesus’ priestly ministry compare?

4.What was Jesus able to accomplish, through His sacrifice, that an animal sacrifice could never accomplish?