Today's Passage - Hebrews 4:14-15

Hebrews 4:14-15   Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.   In the Old Testament time, God instituted three positions among the Israelites - prophets, kings and priests.  Prophets speak to God's people on His behalf, kings represent God to govern His people on His behalf, but priests serve by going before God on behalf of people.  Priests perform a terrifying job, for the priests entered the holy of the holies filled with fear.  They entered once a year and they had to be cleansed for three days.  Not only cleansed on the outside, but also the inside.  When they entered into the holy of the holies, they had to hang a bell on their robe.  When they walked around inside, the bell would ring; if people outside didn't hear the bell ring, they knew that the priest probably couldn't stand before God and was struck to death.  Because ordinary people could not just enter into the holy of the holies, they also had to tie the priest to a rope so that if he died they could drag his body out.   In the New Testament time, Jesus Christ already completed this work for us, for Jesus is the true high priest.  People were not complete in the Old Testament; in the New Testament time, people finally became complete through Christ as all the Old Testament standards have been met.  When Jesus worked on earth, He wasn't like the Pharisees who only rebuked people; He wasn't' like John the Baptist who only preached the judgment of God.  He had the touch of love - He didn't just severely rebuke people, but He used love and compassion to turn people back.  When the adulterous woman was caught and brought before Jesus, she should have been stoned to death according to the law.  She expected Jesus to rebuke her, but instead the Lord told her: "Has no one condemned you?"  She looked around and not one person condemned her, and then Jesus said: "Go now and leave your life of sin."  Lord accepted her just as she is and completely restored her.   No matter what we're like before God, we must always remember that Jesus and our high priest.  He cares for our weakness and He will help us wherever we are weak.  He stands between Father God and us, and He will bring sinners like us back the throne of grace to receive help from God.  Are you in great needs or do you have any major weakness?  You can come before God again without any fear, because Jesus is your high priest!   Pray with Pastor Tong   Lord Jesus, we thank you because not only are you our savior, you are also our high priest.  You care for our weaknesses, and you also support and help us.  May the Spirit of the Lord move among us, give us strength and help us in our time of need.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! Shekinah Glory - ROLCC Building Expansion Project - Follow us on our Facebook page!