July 25, 2004

THE PRIEST AND THE SACRIFICE

"But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12, NKJV).

In the plan of salvation, Christ is the sacrifice as well as the priest who offers the sacrifice. This makes Him central to the whole plan of salvation. Both the offering and the offerer are one.

In sharp contrast with the Aaronic priesthood, Christ has appeared in the presence of God "once in the end of the world... to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself" (Hebrews 9:26). In His role as priest, Jesus appeared before the Father "by his own blood (verse 12). He died on the cross as the "Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Now, having accomplished this transaction, He appears before God as priest to present His own body as the perfect sacrifice made on Calvary for the remission of sins. The offering of Himself before the Father is a once-for-all sacrifice that needs not to be repeated. This act denotes completeness. The perfect priest has offered the perfect sacrifice before the perfect God and has made available a perfect salvation to all mankind.

The apostle Paul reminds us that "by one sacrifice he [Jesus] has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14, NIV). What a blessed assurance! "The infinite sufficiency of Christ is demonstrated by His bearing the sins of the whole world. He occupies the double position of offerer and of offering, of priest and of victim. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."--Loma Linda Messages, p. 180.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because You are seated at God's right hand, I too can enter beyond the veil. May I enter confidently by Your grace. Amen.