Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Those who were made priests,
according to the Mosaic law, of necessity had to be physically
descended from the tribe of Levi. Yet we read nothing of Christ
being descended from the tribe of Levi. Rather, he is the Lion
of the tribe of Judah, of which nothing is spoken of concerning
the priesthood. How then did he come as a priest?
He came not in the order which was subject to the Mosaic law,
but rather was of the order of Melchizedek, which had neither
beginning of days nor ending of life. Therefore he is a priest
forever, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them
that come unto God by him. He came not to perpetuate the
law of Moses, which is earthly and temporary, but rather to
fulfill it and put it out of the way, because that law and
its offerings and sacrifices was merely a shadow and type
of his one true offering for sin. For the law made nothing
perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did, by the
which we draw nigh unto God. So while Christ was indeed made
an offering for sin in order to fulfill the law of Moses,
his priesthood is of a higher and more perfect order than that
of which Moses was only a type. Our great high priest did offer
up himself in that true tabernacle which the Lord pitched and not
man, and entered into that holy place which no son of Levi could
ever discover, let alone enter. that holy place which is in the
very presence of the immortal God, to which no man could possibly
approach. But this man, because he continued
with ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. He has prevailed,
led captivity captive, and given gifts to men, because he was
ordained unto this very work, and has obtained eternal redemption
for every one of those given to him, and for whom he stood
as a substitute, imputing his righteousness and standing to
them. as heirs of his everlasting kingdom. This high priest of
whom we now speak is entered in once into the holy of holies
with his own blood, making men of every tribe, kindred, and
tongue upon the face of the earth to be forever justified and sanctified
in the presence of their father. For when he offered up himself
as the Lamb of God without spot, he did so for everyone whose
names were written in the Lamb's book of life, graven upon his
heart, and loved with an everlasting love. He is a merciful and faithful
high priest, wherefore in all things it behooved him to be
made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and
faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation
for the sins of the people. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers
of the heavenly calling, consider the apostle and high priest of
our profession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to him that
appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all of his house. He is a great high priest. Seeing
then that we have a great high priest that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
He is an experienced and sinless high priest. For we have not
a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our
infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without
sin. He is a high priest appointed
in heaven rather than by the law. Though he were a son, yet
learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. And being
made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
that obey him. Called of God a high priest after
the order of Melchizedek. He is a high priest exactly suited
to the needs of his people. For such a high priest became
us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made
higher than the heavens, 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, For the law maketh men high priests which
have infirmity, but the word of the oath which was since the
law maketh the son who is consecrated forevermore. He is a high priest
whose ministry is established upon a better covenant than that
of Moses. But now hath he obtained a more
excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a
better covenant, which was established upon better promises. Finally,
he is a high priest of good things to come. But Christ being come
a high priest of good things to come by a greater and more
perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this building. So Christ was once offered to
bear the sins of many, and unto them that look for him shall
he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Is he your
high priest? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.