JESUS -
OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST
"Among the lampstands was one like a son of man, clothed with a robe
reaching down to his feet, and with a golden sash around his chest."-
Rev. 1:13.
Let us approach the throne of grace and pause there to behold Jesus as John saw
Him, for the church's joy, in His priestly garments; for remember, He is still
a Priest upon His throne, and by the oath of Yahweh, remains a priest forever
(Heb.5:10; 7:20). Let us not be afraid
to draw near; listen, surely He calls! He speaks to you "See me! See
me! See, I am your intercessor (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). For this cause I
wear these priestly garments; and as the high priest of old represented Me, I
appear in them down to the foot, and the golden sash (girdle, KJV) round and
beneath the chest. What is your cause? What blessings and praises have you to
offer for past grace? And what supplications for present and future
favours? Behold my vesture (garment)
dipped in blood (Rev.19:13). Think of the everlasting
efficacy (effectiveness) of My righteousness: and for whom should I make
intercession but for transgressors?"
Let us fall down with holy reverence and godly fear. Jesus will do with you as He did with John. He will lay His right hand upon you, and say,
"Fear not" (Rev.1:17). And we
shall realize how precious our Lord is.
He is, indeed, the One Who was dead, and now lives for evermore
(Rev.1:17, 18). He lives to see the
fruits of the great salvation He ushered in faithfully and fully applied to
every one of His redeemed. His priesthood is forever. His intercession
unceasing. We shall see our Lord, by faith, even now standing with the blood of
the covenant in His hand, and presenting us, poor, wretched, worthless as we
are, as one purchased by His blood to the Father.
Do we not hear His voice in those soul-reviving words, "Holy Father, keep them through your name which
you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are? (John 17:11.)
Father, I desire that they also whom you
have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have
given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world? (John
17:24.)
Oh how glorious and gracious is our Almighty High Priest! He is, indeed,
"a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 5:6;
7:17). Oh trembling souls! You who have
any cause this day to bring before the court of heaven, look unto Jesus, look
within the veil, see Jesus there; look steadily, though humbly, and see His
hands, His side; your salvation is still etched on His palms. Nay, do we not
see, may we not read our very names, as the high priest bore the names of
Israel on his breast (see Exodus 28:21), while his hands are lifted up to
bless! Yes, Jesus takes up our cause, bears our persons, and all our
concerns. How shall either fail, while
"he is also able to save to the
uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing he ever lives to make
intercession for them? (Hebrews 7:25; cf. Romans 8:34).
Our High Priest is faithful and true (Rev.3:14; 19:11). He will not refuse to receive us. Come to Him with all your weaknesses and
faults. He came to save you and make you
whole and eventually take you to be with Him for ever (John 14:1-3). Since we have such a great high priest, lest
us draw near to Him in sincere faith and a clear
conscience.
©
1995-2006
Permission
is granted for non-commercial (free) distribution provided this notice appears.
Email:
[email protected]