PRIEST

WORD OF WISDOM
PRIEST ~ The whole priestly system of the Jews was typical. It was a shadow of which the body is Christ. The priests all prefigured the great Priest who offered "one sacrifice for sins" "once for all" (Hebrews 10:10, 12). There is now no human priesthood. (See Epistle to the Hebrews throughout.) The term "priest" is indeed applied to believers (1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6), but in these cases it implies no sacerdotal functions. All true believers are now "kings and priests unto God." As priests they have free access into the holiest of all, and offer up the sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, and the sacrifices of grateful service from day to day.

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:

The Apostle compares Christ with the Levitical priests, and he teaches us what is the likeness and the difference between them; and the object of the whole discourse is, to show what Christ’s office really is, and also to prove that whatever was ordained under the law was ordained on His account. So the Apostle passes on at last to show that the ancient priesthood was abolished.

The High Priest must be a man, a partaker of our nature. This shows that man had sinned. For God would not suffer sinful man to come to Him alone. But every one is welcome to God, that comes to Him by this High Priest; and as we value acceptance with God, and pardon, we must apply by faith to this our great High Priest Christ Jesus, who can intercede for those that are out of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; one who has tenderness to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin, and misery.

Those only can expect assistance from God, and acceptance with Him, and His presence and blessing on them and their services, that are called of God. This is applied to Christ. In the days of His flesh, Christ made Himself subject to death: He hungered: He was a tempted, suffering, dying Jesus. Christ set an example, not only to pray, but to be fervent in prayer. How many dry prayers, how few prayers wet with tears, do we offer up to God!

His obedience in our nature encourages our attempts to obey, and for us to expect support and comfort under all the temptations and sufferings to which we are exposed. Being made perfect for this great work, He is become the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey Him.

But are we of that number?

God's Blessings to each of you,
LJG/rECj