The priesthood of believers in God has began since the beginning of time. It is a perpetual theme we see running from Genesis to Revelation.
But the only priest that can become a mediator between God and the whole mankind is Jesus Christ. (1 Tim 2:5) He is our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Psa 110:4, Heb 6:19-20)
This article is written as a reflectional piece based on the sharing of Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang on how we can attain victory in our spiritual encounter with God at Prescott Hotel Klang on 16th to 18th of July 2015. In this session, he explained about the priesthood of believers, starting first with Jesus Christ.
And here are four reasons why Jesus Christ is our High Priest or really the perfect priest.
Only Jesus descended from Heaven
Firstly, Jesus is our High Priest because He is the only person who descended from Heaven. (John 3:13)
Jesus says, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 6:38) He also says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” (John 6:51)
Only Jesus has seen the God and is in closest relationship with the Father. (John 1:18) That is why Jesus can fully understand the will of God while He was ministering on earth. (John 5:19, John 14:10)
This full understanding of God the Father makes Jesus a perfect priest for God because He does all that God wants Him to do. Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
Only Jesus is fully human and fully God
But understand that Jesus is not like God. Jesus is God.
Isaiah prophesied the birth of Jesus, calling Him “The mighty God.” (Isa 9:6) John referred to Jesus as ‘the one and only Son, who is Himself God.’ (John 1:18) Even Jesus declares, “Verily, verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58) “I AM” is the name of God. (Exo 3:14)
Yet, Jesus is fully human as well, which makes Him the perfect priest for us. Like us, Jesus got hungry (Matt 4:2), got tempted (Heb 4:15), and died. (Mark 15:37)
He was made ‘fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and He might make atonement for the sins of people.’ (Heb 2:17)
Because Jesus is fully human, He is able to empathize with our weaknesses and help those of us who are being tempted. (Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15) This is the second reason why Jesus can be the High Priest for us.
Only Jesus can offer the Perfect Sacrifice
The third reason Jesus is the High Priest for us is that His sacrifice on the cross is perfect. (Heb 10:14)
The Israelite priests had to atone for sins by offering the same animal sacrifices day after day, which can never take away sins. (Heb 10:11)
But Jesus only sacrificed for sins once and for all when He offered Himself. (Heb 7:27) ‘He (Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.’ (Heb 9:13)
‘For one sacrifice, Jesus has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.’ (Heb 10:14) And ‘so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many’ (Heb 9:28a)
Because of Jesus, ‘we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.’ (Heb 10:19)
The Most Holy Place is the holiest place in the temple of Jerusalem, which has the Ark of the Covenant. It is separated from the temple sanctuary with a curtain. Only the priests are allowed to enter this place, lest anyone should die in the Presence of God. In fact, only one priest can enter this place once a year to offer sacrifices and atone for sins.
But when Jesus died, the curtain in the temple torn from top to bottom. (Matt 27:51) This signifies Jesus tearing the barrier of sin between men and God, Jesus being sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21)
Because of our faith in Jesus, we are therefore justified before God (Rom 5:1, Gal 2:16). And we can come into His Presence, to the Most Holy Place.
Only Jesus can be the Perfect Intercessor
The fourth reason Jesus is the High Priest is He is the perfect intercessor for us.
He is the priest who is now at the temple of the Living God and is standing
at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19, Acts 2:23, Rom 8:34) ‘For Christ did not enter a santuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.’ (Heb 9:24)
So, what is Christ doing for us in God’s presence? He is interceding for us. (Rom 8:34) In fact, He is always interceding for us. (Hb 7:24-25)
And ‘because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who came to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.’ (Heb 7:24-25)
Because Jesus is our immortal priest, He is able to constantly intercede for us, covering our sins with His blood when we come before Him and repent.
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Note: This article is not vetted by the speaker Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang and may not accurately represent the information he shared. It is a reflectional piece put together by the writer from her perspective and understanding as a participant of his seminar, Victory in Spiritual Encounter.Hence, the writer encourages the reader to examine this article in light of the Bible scripture to make a personal stand on this matter. The Bible, again, holds all authority in all matters. To gain a more accurate understanding about this topic, you can also attend the Victory in Spiritual Encounter by Reverend Lieow.
Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang has ministered to the Tamil community and Orang Asli community. At present, Reverend Lieow is stationed at Tapah, where he continues to serve as the Senior Pastor to the Orang Asli churchthere, and supervised the co-workers among the tribes. Reverend Lieow has over 30 years of experience in healing, deliverance, interpretation of dreams, and spiritual discernment of various types of spirits in the crosss-cultural Malaysian context. And in his seminars, he will teach on how to deal with these issues based on James 5:13-16. Reverend Lieow is married to Mary Chok Fonng Yeen and has four chidlren. For more information on his seminar, please email him at lieow55@gmail.com and kingbun@gmail.com
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