April. 2 - Christ as High Priest
Contributed by
Ernesto Raul Gonzalez, Music Center custodian on Wednesday April 02
Scripture
Hebrews 5:5-10
So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of
becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
"You are my Son;
today I have become your Father." And he says in
another place,
"You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek."
During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up
prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the
one who could save him from death, and he was heard
because of his reverent submission. Although he was a
son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and,
once made perfect, he became the source of eternal
salvation for all who obey him and was
designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
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Devotion
In ancient times, persons who wished to bring their offerings and sacrifices to God had to do it through the medium of a priest. This priest had been given the authority of the community to carry out this office. The acceptance of the sacrifice and the salvation of the people seemed to depend on the High Priest and his office.
Through the mediation of Jesus Christ we are no longer bound to sacrifices offered by other humans. Through the sacrifice of the Son of God, the opportunity is created for each human being to present their own offering to God. Through Jesus Christ we can come before God on our own to offer ourselves and draw near to Him. His humiliation and self-denial draw us into a lifestyle that is pleasing to God, this becoming our offering to Him. We can again have a personal relationship with Our Father and God.
Though many times we distance ourselves from God and reject a relationship with Him, the door has been opened for us to enter and approach his altar and again give over our lives. All this is by means of the sacrifice of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of God.
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