“But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
“For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” – Hebrews 9:11-15
This is an interesting reference to Jesus as high priest. I have been researching this for tonight’s message at the Camp Gibson Chapel. Jesus was of the kingly line of the tribe of Judah, not the priestly line of Levi. God set up a system in Israel that separated the priesthood (Levi’s line) from kingship (Judah’s line). Yet Jesus is able to function as both priest and king because he is of the priestly order of Melchizedek.
If you read Genesis 14, you will find a fascinating account of this enigmatic figure, Melchizedek. Abram offered a tithe to Melchizedek after defeating the kings and rescuing his nephew, Lot. According to the book of Hebrews, Levi was still in the loins of Abram (had not yet been born) so in a sense Levi offered a tithe to Melchizedek, a prototypical (some say pre-incarnate) Jesus. Thus, being of a priesthood higher than Levi’s, Jesus has the right to act as our high priest forever and offer the most amazing sacrifice, once and for all, by placing himself on the cross. Thanks be to God He did not stay there! “He is risen just as He said…!’
May the Lord bless you as we celebrate His resurrection and His victory over sin and death…
This is my favorite Easter Song and it’s been running through my head all day. So I thought I would share it with you on this blessed day…
The Easter Song by Keith Green
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2 Responses to Quickly, now, go tell His disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead…
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Sheriff Ray Nash
Hi Ray. Loved your Empty Tomb Blog. I would like to add one thing. Jesus was privileged to be able to hold all three offices – prophet, priest and king. Or should it be Prophet, Priest and King. King Saul was a prophet and a king. He got in major trouble when he attempted to usurp the office of priest. God, through Samuel, chastised him severely by removing his dynasty. Jonathan would not succeed him as king. It was torn away from him and given to David.
David, of course, was of the tribe of Judah – the true kingly tribe. David never attempted to be priest yet his line will never end because of Jesus who is our great Prophet, Priest and King. Amen and Amen.
Excellent points. I brought that out during my “sermon” on Easter Sunday. God set up a system in Israel to prevent it from becoming a theocracy. By separating the priestly line from the kingly line, He guaranteed a certain separation between church and state. This is the type of separation God established and it is the type referred to by Thomas Jefferson in his famous letter to the Danbury Baptists. Not the type that has been established by our Supreme Court.