Bible Pathway - Dec. 13, 2011
Read Hebrews 5
Highlights:
Jesus was chosen by God to be our High Priest (Heb. 5:1-10). He (Jesus) became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (5:9; Rom. 6:23).
In Israel, there was a vast difference between the high priest and the other priests. Only the high priest was permitted annually to enter the Holy of Holies and into the very presence of God. He alone bore on his forehead the golden crown with the words: Holiness to the Lord (Ex. 28:36-38), and only he could offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation and intercede on the annual Day of Atonement.
In the Old Testament, a sinless animal was substituted for an Israelite and was slain in his place for his sin. Thus, the devout Jew was continually reminded that it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:11). But the need for animal sacrifices ceased on the day Jesus, the sinless Son of God, died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins as the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He (also) became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him (Heb. 5:9).
How thankful we are that mercy is an attribute of God, for it is one of our greatest daily needs! Mercy is an expression of His willingness to forgive sinners and deliver them from eternal hell. Mercy is a practical demonstration of love and compassion. But, because God is holy, He must also enforce the penalty for sin without respect of persons (I Pet. 1:17), and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
Under the Levitical priesthood, it was emphasized many times that God is merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and Truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin (Ex. 34:6-7). How much more we can be assured of the mercy of God through Christ, our exalted Lord, because He makes intercession for us (Heb. 7:25; 9:24)!
Our highest privilege is to press on to be like Him and treasure the will of God as the most precious thing in our lives. Too often our trouble is not that we do not know the will of God but, rather, that we choose our will instead of His though He makes it clear.
Christ's soon return should be our strongest motivation to do the Savior's will. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:13-14).
Thought for Today:
Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (I Cor. 6:20).
Cross References:
For Heb. 5:5: See Ps. 2:7. Heb. 5:6: See Ps. 110:4. Heb. 6:14: See Gen. 22:17.
Word Studies:
6:17 immutability of His counsel, unchangeableness of His will and purpose.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Ilene Wallace • Government Official: Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA) • Country: Italy (58 million) in southern Europe • Major languages: Italian and German • Religious freedom • 81% Roman Catholic; .4% Protestant; .1% Eastern Orthodox • Prayer Suggestion: Trust in the Lord and wait upon Him in your prayers, for He will hear you (Mic. 7:7).
Memory Verse for the Week: 1 Corinthians 13:2
