+DEV+ Man in the Middle

Date: June 9, 2010 10:22 PM
Topic: +DEV+ Man in the Middle

Man in the Middle

"Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24). "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 7:11-28

When God gave the Law to Israel, He established the role of the High Priest. As the spiritual leader of the people, the High Priest represented them before God by offering sacrifices for their sin.

But before the High Priest could atone for the people's sin, he first had to deal with his own sin. His consecration included cleansing, anointing, and various sacrifices for his sin and consecration. Then he was anointed again with the blood of the sacrifice. Only then could he enter the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of the nation's sacrifice on the Mercy Seat to cover their sin. When he died, a new High Priest replaced him.

Jesus is our perfect High Priest. Because He was sinless, He did not need a sacrifice for His sin. Instead, He offered Himself as the spotless sacrifice whose blood atones for our sin. We do not need to fear death when we enter the presence of God. Jesus Christ goes before us as both our permanent High Priest and our permanent sacrifice. We need no other mediator.

Insight: What is the role of a mediator? Jesus Christ's role as both our High Priest and our sacrifice qualifies Him to be our mediator.