GOOD FRIDAY – April 10, 2020 – Heb. 4:14-16; 5:7-9
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Epistle Lesson just read, from Hebrews 4 and 5. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- I’m going to use a big word for you, one which might be good for you to remember. The word is “sacerdotalism.” The “sacerdos” is a priest, and “sacerdotalism” is the concept that one needs a “priest,” an intermediary, in order to take prayers and requests to God, to intercede for us. Likewise, “sacerdotalism” holds that God only grants us good things through the “sacerdos,” or priest.
- Why haven’t we heard of this before? Well, we know that the Scripture encourages us to approach God directly. Jesus taught us to pray: Our Father.” He did not teach us to go to the priest, but directly to the Father.
- However, there was reason for the priesthood in the Old Testament – to offer the sacrifices that pointed to the coming of Christ. So, while we do not have mere human “priests” to bridge the gap between us and God, we do have such a “sacerdos,” or priest. It is Christ Himself. You remember what the apostle wrote: “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” [1 Tim. 2:5]
- Yes, He is definitely a man, but He is also the very Son of God, and also our dear Savior.
- So while we properly reject the religious concept of “sacerdotalism,” we nonetheless pray to our “GREAT HIGH PRIEST,” and we pray as He has taught us, to our Father in heaven, knowing that as the Scripture teaches “Christ is at the right hand of God, interceding for us.” [Rom. 8:34]
- Our text assures us of these things and more, in regard to the One Who suffered and died for us on the cross to redeem us and save us. First:
I. He Became One Of Us
Text: “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.”
A. He Was Tempted Just As We Are
Text: “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are.”
B. Yet He Was Without Sin; He Was Always Victorious In Good
Text: “For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Statement: The comfort here is that our “sacerdos,” our GREAT HIGH PRIEST, is one of us, able in all respects to sympathize with us. However, where we fail each day and fall into sin, He never failed the test. So we are able to look to Him with confidence.
Application: When we think of someone who claims or who exhibits perfection, it is a bit unnerving to us. Perhaps we think that Jesus will think us too low to be with, or to help out, but such is not the case. For:
II. Jesus, This Great High Priest, Has Saved Us
A. By His Own Death
Text: “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.”
B. He Is Now The Source Of Salvation For All Who Believe In Him
Text: “And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”
John 3:36 “He that believes the Son has everlasting life.”
Statement: No mere human “priest” could save us! This is a preposterous thought! But Jesus did! And though He is perfect morally, He is also perfect in His love for us. He laid down His life for us to save us and reconcile God to us.
Application: How could we ask for a better HIGH PRIEST? How could there ever be a “GREATER HIGH PRIEST?” So, I don’t want any other “sacerdos” or priest; I want only Jesus, our “GREAT HIGH PRIEST.” And although He was humbled, even to the point of death on a cross:
III. Our Great High Priest Is Now Exalted
A. It Began With His Resurrecton
Text: “Since then we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.”
B. Then He Was Exalted By The Father
Text: “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.”
Eph. 1:19-22 “According to the working of His great might that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under His feet and gave Him as head over all things to the church,”
C. He Now Intercedes For Us
Text: “Jesus offered up prayers and supplications.”
Rom. 8:34 “Christ is at the right hand of God, interceding for us.”
D. All Of This Gives Us Great Confidence To Approach God’s Throne Where He Graciously Grants Us Mercy And Help
Text: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Statement: You see what blessings are ours even now because of “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.” The gifts of God are always perfect, and you can see how perfect “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST” truly is!
Application: God wants us to remember all of this. Jesus, “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST” want us to remember all of this. He wants us to have great confidence in approaching Him, and our Heavenly Father! Especially when in need of mercy. Especially when in need of grace! Especially when in need of help! Jesus is definitely the One to go to!
Conclusion: The greatest argument against foolish notions of “sacerdotalism” is Jesus Himself, “OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.” If we know these things about Him, then it will be laughable if anyone suggests that we need some other kind of “priest.”
And this will please Him immensely – for He truly suffered and died to have this place in our life! And now He is exalted and desires to share the glories of His love with us always!
So once again we remember: “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” [1 Tim. 2:5] Thanks and praise be to God! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting, Amen.