(Exodus) Exodus 28:6-9
The high priest's garments, particularly the ephod, symbolize Jesus Christ's strength and power to save others.
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of the high priest's garments in the Bible. The high priest's garments were made with great care and craftsmanship, using materials such as gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twine linen. The speaker emphasizes the symbolism behind the high priest carrying the names of the children of Israel on his shoulders, representing his strength and power. The sermon also highlights the role of Jesus as our high priest today, who is able to save us completely and intercede for us. The speaker references the parable of the lost sheep to illustrate how Jesus carries and guides us when we stray from the right path.
Full Transcript
Now, let me move on. They are to bring all of these, the very best, to make the garments for this man Aaron, the high priest. Now, the first is an ephod, and they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet and fine twine linen with cunning work.
It shall have the two shoulder pieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof, and so it shall be joined together. And the curious girdle of the ephod which is upon it shall be of the same according to the work thereof, even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twine linen. And thou shalt take two onyx stones, engrave on them the names of the children of Israel, six of their names on one stone, and the other six names on the rest, on the other stone.
Now, he had underneath a linen garment just like the other priests. Then over that he had this ephod, and I don't know how to describe garments other than to say that to me you'd take a big long piece of goods, and right in the center of it you'd make a big hole for your head, then you'd drop that down, half of it go in front and half in the back, then you'd gather it in the middle with a girdle, and that's about what it amounted to. The only thing that it wasn't done quite like that.
The two pieces were brought together by two stones at the top, one on one shoulder and one on the other, and six of the names of the children of Israel were on one onyx stone, six on the other. In other words, when the high priest went into the presence of God, he carried the children of Israel on his shoulders, and that speaks of the strength of the high priest. That speaks of power.
And we have a high priest today, we're told, that he is able to save to the uttermost because he ever liveth to make intercession for them. He is able to save, you see. He has the strength and the power.
And you remember the parable that he gave about the little sheep that got lost and the shepherd went out and found them, and what did he do? He put them on his shoulder, and that's where he carries me today, and that's where he carries you friends, because I get, you know, off on the sidelines from time to time, and he's there to put us right back on his shoulder and to carry us. What a lovely picture this is, the effort, and I can't go into other detail. It's here.
Sermon Outline
- The High Priest's Garments
- The Strength and Power of the High Priest
- The High Priest's Ability to Save
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep
- The Names of Israel on the Ephod
Key Quotes
“He is able to save, you see. He has the strength and the power.” — J. Vernon McGee
“When the high priest went into the presence of God, he carried the children of Israel on his shoulders, and that speaks of the strength of the high priest.” — J. Vernon McGee
“He put them on his shoulder, and that's where he carries me today, and that's where he carries you friends,” — J. Vernon McGee
Application Points
- We can rely on Jesus Christ's strength and power to save us from our sins.
- Jesus Christ carries us on his shoulders, just like the shepherd in the parable of the lost sheep.
- We should trust in Jesus Christ's ability to save us to the uttermost.