From: "Phil Rembleski" <PHIl@rescuechurchofchrist.org>

To: "1111RESCUEMEMBERS"

Cc:

Sent: Thu, Jul 11, 2024 at 4:54 AM

Subject: 7-11-24 THOUGHTS

7-11-24   THOUGHTS

The way God used the priest idea was pretty marvelous.  It’s a “go between” idea.  The words advocate, mediator and intercessor are used of Christ, and they relate to the priest concept.  God’s very presence was seen to be in the Temple Holy of Holies, and only the proper priest could enter there and he only on one day a year.  The common could have no contact with the Holy Presence!  The words in verse 16, below, “let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace” are powerful as The Christ takes His rightful place.  Heb 10:19-22a   Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20  by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh,  21  and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22  let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,”    These are encouraging words of assurance and confidence!  We cannot forget that we are  "a blood bought”  people.    

Heb 4:14-5:9     Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  5:1   For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2  he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3  and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4  And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. 5  So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU"; 6  just as He says also in another passage, "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK." 7  In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8  Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.  9  And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

My Prayer:
Thank You, O God, for the beauty of Your plan to save us.  By Your might, in love and grace and mercy, You have drawn us to Yourself.  You have made the common holy, and given us access to Your presence.  With grateful hearts we thank You and praise You.  Thank You for Jesus our high priest, who helps us receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
We pray in His name,      Amen.