The Child of Bethlehem: Part 2 The Only High Priest Biblical Meditation.
Repost: Edited
The Only High Priest to read: 1Samuel 2:27 Hebrews 2:10-18
Not only as, the Highest Prophet but also as the only High Priest is the coming of the Child of Bethlehem foretold. By the service in the tabernacle and in the temple. His priesthood is highlighted in the liturgy of the Day of the Holy Convocation. But also the Promise foretold in the Psalms and the Prophecies.
A star is shining above the generation of the priesthood of Eli; a star of Messianic Hope: And I will raise me up a faithful Priest, That shall do according to that which is in Mine heart and in My mind: and I will build him a sure house; 1Samuel 2:35.
There is no question at all Who has fulfilled this Word of Promise to perfection. By the Birth of Christ, God did raise a faithful Priest. He performed everything that was in the Heart of God. He fulfilled all the Will of the Father. That’s why a sure house was built. It is His eternal Priesthood after the order of Melchisedec.
A prophetic word –full of expectation- is reflecting that the apostle Paul is describing in verse 17 of Hebrews 2. The apostle shows here the heavenly Priesthood of Jesus Christ crystal clear. As a Priest, Who outshines the priest Eli. The priesthood of Aaron is also losing its brilliance by the shine of the Child of Bethlehem. Except to Him and only Him God once said “Thou art My Son” Hebrews 5:5. This unique Priesthood is hidden in His manger.
The Son left all the glory of the Father to become Man to dwell with His Chosen people. God manifested in the flesh that is God’s mystery of godliness and devotion. He Who was worshiped by angels, humbled Himself to be among His brethren, to be equal to them. The Redeemer took part in our life by His death to re-gain power over our death and to dethrone the devil over the grave to deliver us. To deliver us who were in bondage of sin and death.
The Redeemer was not ashamed to call us His brethren. Although He had all the reason not to do so. Because who are we Who is sanctifying us in His Priesthood? For whom did the Son want to do the Work of the Father? For His People whose life is broken and marked by sin. Didn’t we turn away from God to accept the lie of the father of lies? For us did hide the Child of Bethlehem the divine luster.
For –oh deep mystery!- the Redeemer was sent to us by God. To us who are full of guilt and ignorance. God’s goodwill and grace toward us. That’s why as God’s Highest Prophet, He came to us to reveal God’s deliverance. That’s why as God’s only High Priest, He came to search for us to be a Sacrifice, to redeem save us.
It included from the very beginning all the catastrophic consequences that were related to Him. He fully submitted and unconditionally surrendered in total devotion to the Will of the Father. The Redeemer was not in search of glory to perform this Heavenly Priesthood. He was called by Him Who spoke Thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:6.
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At the same time, this heavy burden was carried by an unsearchable Love for His brethren. By an unsearchable Love for His brethren for atonement of sin.
It was a wonderful and yet difficult task for a high priest. He was called to make reconciliation for the people! He alone was to approach God to make to Him the blood atonement in the inner Sanctuary. The priest had to perform a difficult task to repair the relationship with God. He was not allowed to deviate those things that were important to God to obtain peace and blessing.
This all-enfolding service of the high priest reached into the heart of God. For in this service of atonement the work he did came from the heart of God. This mystery was the warranty and the power for atonement. Therefore only the high priest was allowed to bring the blood behind the veil, to light the incense, and to return with God’s blessing. From the heart of God, he also had to be faithful to the very end, as he was obligated from this fountain of eternal love to show mercy during his service.
Wasn’t the earthly priesthood of sacrifice, prayer, blessing, and atonement a prophetic symbolism of Christ as the High Priest?
- Christ as the High Priest Who came indeed to prepare Himself as a Sacrifice to leave the earthly priesthood of Aaron far behind Him for ever.
- Christ as the High Priest Who received from the Father the covenant of the everlasting and incorruptible Priesthood to the order of Melchidesec.
That’s why the High Priest can fully sanctify us so that we by Him can go to the Father. This High Priest we need, Who is able to have compassion with our weaknesses because He was in all things equal to us but without sin. This High Priest was placed by God in the manger near our feet. His life showing mercy moved with inner compassion over our lost sinners. Faithful in His service, fulfilled with a never ending Love of His tempted brethren.
What else can we do to hold on to the confession of this High Priest and go daily to the manger, so that He may help us to receive mercy and find grace. That He may help us in our guilt and grief, in our sorrow and temptation. That He may grant us grace in our lives and in our passing on.
To be justified by God, there is no way we can do without the High Priest.
But this High Priest is we all we need for now and for ever.
To be continued The Everlasting King Part 3