August 10

PART II. — Hebrews 7:24.

LET us now consider the especial work which devolved upon the ancient priests. They were appointed to teach the people: hence it is written, "For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth." (Malachi 2:7) How illustriously did Jesus fulfil this part of his work. What numerous discourses he delivered: what a spiritual and striking illustration did he give of the moral law in his sermon on the mount. He taught the way of salvation fully, and brought life and immortality to light by his gospel. He was truly a teacher sent from God, and never man spake, as he spake. The priests also were to pray for the people and to bless them. Jesus went up and down blessing the people, — he spent whole nights in prayers and supplications for a perishing world, — he offered up one extended intercessory prayer on behalf of his church to the end of the world. He expired interceding for his murderers, and exclaiming, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The priests also killed and offered the sacrifices to God. Now Jesus did not appear as a priest without a sacrifice; for it behoved that a victim should be slain, for without shedding of blood there could be no remission. He therefore presented to God the sacrifice of himself, — he presented his own life, and shed his own blood, that it might redeem a guilty world unto God. He was both the offerer, and the lamb slain that took away the sins of the world. Hence says the Apostle, “But now once in the end of the world, hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26.)

“The Lord in the day,

Of mercy did lay,

Our sins on the Lamb, and he bore them away,

He died to atone,

For sins not his own;

The Father hath punish’d for us his dear Son.”

The priest not only offered the sacrifices, but also sprinkled the blood upon the altar, and thus the worshipper and gift were acceptable to God. Jesus in like manner hath entered into heaven with his infinitely precious blood, and having sprinkled the throne of grace, we may now come boldly and obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in every time of need. Are we savingly acquainted with Christ's priestly character? Have we come to God by the way he hath consecrated for us? Have we felt his blood applied to our consciences, and can we rejoice that he loved us, and gave himself for us?