TLIC Family. Day 320. November 16: A high priest.

THINK TOGETHER

Do you know what sympathy is? Have you ever felt sympathy for someone?

READ TOGETHER

In the Bible we learn about the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people. God loved his people very much and wanted to live with them. He wanted to talk to them and be their friend. He wanted to rule over them, and guide them, and warn them about sin.

And so God gave his people leaders who would do these things in God’s place. Kings would rule for God Prophets would speak for God. And priests would forgive for God and show his mercy.

The reason why the priests could be so kind and merciful is because they knew that they were also sinners just like everyone else. The Israelite priests didn’t just offer sacrifices for the sins of other people, they offered sacrifices for their own sins too.

In the book of Hebrews, it says that Jesus is our great High Priest.

Hebrews 4:14-16. ¹⁴ Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

But notice that Jesus was “without sin.” Yes, he was tempted just like you and me, but Jesus never gave in to his temptations. Do you ever give in to a temptation? Me too.

What Hebrews tells us is super important because it means that Jesus is both human like you and me and yet he is perfect unlike you and me. That means that he could be our substitute and die on the cross for us. If he wasn’t a person like us, then he couldn’t die in our place. And if he wasn’t a perfect person then he couldn’t forgive all our sins and give us his perfect life.

Jesus know what we go through. He’s human just like us. And he understands us and still loves us. And he can fix what we go through because he’s also God. And that’s what makes Jesus our perfect High Priest forever. So don’t ever be afraid to run to God. Jesus has gone before you as the sacrifice for all sins. He opened up the door to the “throne of grace,” where you will always find a Father who loves you no matter what.  

Because of Jesus we will always receive mercy from God.

With Jesus we can always go to God without fear or hesitation.

DO SOMETHING TOGETHER

Here’s a great song to sing together.

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus,

You are our great High Priest who will always love and forgive us. Help me to always go to you first and talk to you about what I’m feeling.

Amen.

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