July 29, 2004

THE UNDEFILED HIGH PRIEST

"For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26, NKJV).

Today we will unveil the portrait of the "Undefiled High Priest." This title describes the holiness of character and moral perfection of our Redeemer and high priest.

Among the essential attributes that qualify Jesus to be our high priest is His sinless humanity. Though born of a woman and subject to all the weakness and temptations of fallen humanity; though living in a sinful world with all its pitfalls, Jesus remained absolutely, "holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26, NKJV). The biblical record is unequivocal: "In him is not sin" (1 John 3:5). He "knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He "did no sin" (1 Peter 2:22). Jesus is referred to as the Lamb, "without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:19). Ellen G. White declares, "Not a taint of corruption was upon Him."--Signs of the Times, Dec. 9, 1897. Amazingly, even when He bore the sins of the whole world in His body on the cross, He did so vicariously. He remained uncontaminated by sin even when God "made him to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This sinless, undefiled high priest is fully qualified to officiate on our behalf since He has been "touched with the feeling of our infirmities" (Hebrews 4:15). Because He has won the battle for us on Calvary, He is now qualified to champion our cause. As our loving Saviour and perfect high priest, He has promised to keep us from falling and to present us "before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy" (Jude 24, NIV). "The infinite sufficiency of Christ is demonstrated by His bearing the sins of the whole world... He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners."--Loma Linda Messages, p. 180.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because You are the undefiled High Priest, I seek the bestowal of Your holiness on me. Amen.