Jesus: Our Eternal High Priest and Intercessor

Devotional

Day 1: The Unceasing Intercession of Christ

Jesus Christ, as our great high priest, lives to make intercession for us, ensuring that nothing is impossible in our lives. His intercession is rooted in His sacrifice at Calvary, and it is through His ongoing ministry that we are saved to the uttermost. This intercession is not a distant or abstract concept; it is a personal and deliberate act for each believer. Jesus stands as a memorial, a testimony, and a witness, ever making intercession for us. His intercession is a testament to His mercy, faithfulness, and everlasting nature. As believers, we are encouraged to approach the throne of grace boldly, knowing that Jesus pleads the merits of His sacrifice, ensuring that the provisions of the cross are applied to our lives. [09:22]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to trust in Christ's intercession today, and how can you boldly approach the throne of grace with this need?

Day 2: Understanding Christ's Heavenly Ministry

To fully grasp the significance of Christ's intercession, we must study the Old Testament types and shadows, such as the Tabernacle and the high priest's ministry. These serve as teaching tools to help us understand the reality of Christ's current work in heaven. The true Tabernacle, where Christ ministers, is in heaven, and it is there that He intercedes for us, making our prayers acceptable to God. By understanding these Old Testament symbols, we gain insight into the profound nature of Christ's heavenly ministry and His role as our interceding high priest. This understanding deepens our appreciation for His ongoing work on our behalf. [36:15]

Hebrews 8:5 (ESV): "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, 'See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.'"

Reflection: How can studying the Old Testament symbols of the Tabernacle and high priest deepen your understanding of Christ's intercessory work in your life today?

Day 3: The Specific Prayers of Our High Priest

In John 17, we see that Jesus prays for our protection, sanctification, and future glorification. His prayers are specific and personal, ensuring that we are kept from the evil one, made holy through God's word, and ultimately brought to glory. This intercessory ministry is a source of great encouragement and strength for believers, as it assures us of Christ's constant care and advocacy on our behalf. Jesus' prayers are not general but are tailored to the needs of each believer, reflecting His intimate knowledge of our lives and His desire for our spiritual growth and ultimate union with Him in glory. [54:08]

John 17:15-17 (ESV): "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."

Reflection: What specific area of your life do you need Jesus' intercession for protection, sanctification, or glorification today, and how can you align your prayers with His?

Day 4: The Role of the Blood in Intercession

The blood of Christ is central to His intercessory ministry. It is through the blood that our prayers are made acceptable to God, and it is by the blood that we have access to the throne of grace. The sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary, where He laid down His body and shed His blood, is the foundation of His intercession. In the presence of God, He pleads the merits of His sacrifice, ensuring that the provisions of the cross are applied to our lives. This ongoing ministry of intercession is a testament to His mercy, faithfulness, and everlasting nature. [43:03]

Hebrews 10:19-22 (ESV): "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Reflection: How does understanding the role of Christ's blood in intercession change the way you approach God in prayer today?

Day 5: The Assurance of Christ's Advocacy

As our high priest, Jesus is our mediator, intercessor, and advocate before the Father. His constant intercession assures us of His care and advocacy, providing strength and encouragement in our walk of faith. Knowing that Jesus is actively interceding for us gives us confidence and hope, even in the midst of trials and challenges. His advocacy is a reminder that we are never alone and that we have a faithful high priest who understands our weaknesses and is committed to our spiritual well-being. This assurance empowers us to live boldly and faithfully, trusting in His ongoing work on our behalf. [10:01]

1 John 2:1 (ESV): "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to be reminded of Christ's advocacy today, and how can this assurance strengthen your faith and resolve?

Sermon Summary

In this series on Jesus Christ as our great high priest, we delve into the profound significance of His role as an interceding high priest. Drawing from Hebrews chapter 7, we explore the eternal and unchangeable priesthood of Christ, who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him. This is because He lives to make intercession for us. The heart of this message is the understanding that Jesus, our high priest, is not only a sacrificial high priest but also an interceding one. His intercession is not a vague or general act; it is specific, deliberate, and personal for each believer.

We are encouraged to approach the throne of grace boldly, knowing that Jesus stands as a memorial, a testimony, and a witness, ever making intercession for us. This intercession is rooted in His sacrifice at Calvary, where He laid down His body and shed His blood. Now, in the presence of God, He pleads the merits of His sacrifice, ensuring that the provisions of the cross are applied to our lives. This ongoing ministry of intercession is a testament to His mercy, faithfulness, and everlasting nature.

The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the heavenly ministry of Christ by studying the Old Testament types and shadows, such as the Tabernacle and the high priest's ministry. These serve as teaching tools to help us grasp the reality of Christ's current intercessory work in heaven. The true Tabernacle, where Christ ministers, is in heaven, and it is there that He intercedes for us, making our prayers acceptable to God.

In John 17, we see a glimpse of the specific prayers of our high priest, which include our protection, sanctification, and future glorification. Jesus prays for us to be kept from the evil one, to be sanctified through the truth of God's word, and ultimately, to be with Him in glory. This intercessory ministry is a source of great encouragement and strength for believers, as it assures us of Christ's constant care and advocacy on our behalf.

Key Takeaways

1. The Eternal Intercession of Christ: Jesus, our high priest, lives to make intercession for us, ensuring that nothing is impossible in our lives. His intercession is rooted in His sacrifice at Calvary, and it is through His ongoing ministry that we are saved to the uttermost. [09:22]
2. Understanding the Heavenly Ministry: To fully grasp the significance of Christ's intercession, we must study the Old Testament types and shadows, such as the Tabernacle and the high priest's ministry. These serve as teaching tools to help us understand the reality of Christ's current work in heaven. [36:15]
3. The Specific Prayers of Our High Priest: In John 17, we see that Jesus prays for our protection, sanctification, and future glorification. His prayers are specific and personal, ensuring that we are kept from the evil one, made holy through God's word, and ultimately brought to glory. [54:08]
4. The Role of the Blood in Intercession: The blood of Christ is central to His intercessory ministry. It is through the blood that our prayers are made acceptable to God, and it is by the blood that we have access to the throne of grace. [43:03]
5. The Assurance of Christ's Advocacy: As our high priest, Jesus is our mediator, intercessor, and advocate before the Father. His constant intercession assures us of His care and advocacy, providing strength and encouragement in our walk of faith. [10:01]
** [10:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Introduction to the Series
[00:32] - Reading from Hebrews 7
[01:18] - The Unchangeable Priesthood
[02:15] - Prayer and Exhortation
[03:21] - Revelation of the High Priest
[04:34] - The Merciful and Faithful High Priest
[06:03] - The Sacrificial and Interceding High Priest
[07:00] - Saving to the Uttermost
[09:22] - The Power of Intercession
[12:05] - Considering Our High Priest
[15:18] - Personal Possession of the High Priest
[20:27] - The Specific Intercession of Christ
[24:53] - The Place of Intercession
[38:01] - The Ministry of the High Priest
[54:08] - The Specific Prayers of Our High Priest
[68:15] - The High Priestly Prayer Ministry

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus Christ as Our Great High Priest

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 7:21-25
- John 17:11-24

Observation Questions:

According to Hebrews 7:25, what is the significance of Jesus' eternal priesthood in terms of His ability to save? [01:18]
In the sermon, how is Jesus' intercession described as being specific and personal for each believer? [20:27]
What Old Testament elements are mentioned in the sermon as types and shadows that help us understand Christ's heavenly ministry? [36:32]
How does the sermon describe the role of the blood of Christ in His intercessory ministry? [43:03]

Interpretation Questions:

How does the concept of Jesus as an interceding high priest provide assurance to believers about their salvation and daily struggles? [09:22]
In what ways does understanding the Old Testament types and shadows enhance our comprehension of Christ's current work in heaven? [36:15]
How does Jesus' prayer in John 17 for protection, sanctification, and future glorification reflect His ongoing intercessory role? [54:08]
What does the sermon suggest about the personal nature of Jesus' intercession for each believer, and how might this impact one's faith journey? [15:36]

Application Questions:

Reflect on a specific area in your life where you feel you need Jesus' intercession. How can you approach the throne of grace boldly in this matter? [02:31]
Consider the Old Testament types and shadows mentioned in the sermon. How can studying these deepen your understanding of Christ's work in your life today? [36:32]
Jesus prays for our protection from the evil one. What practical steps can you take to align with this prayer and guard yourself against spiritual attacks? [58:37]
The sermon emphasizes the role of the blood in making our prayers acceptable to God. How can this understanding change the way you approach prayer? [43:03]
Jesus' intercession is described as specific and personal. How can you cultivate a more personal relationship with Him, knowing He intercedes for you individually? [15:36]
Reflect on a time when you experienced a breakthrough or deliverance in your life. How might this be connected to Jesus' intercessory work on your behalf? [03:40]
Jesus prays for our future glorification. How does this promise of future glory influence your current perspective on life's challenges and your spiritual journey? [01:07:09]

Sermon Clips

He is able to save to the uttermost that come unto God by him and this is the verse seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them for such a high priest became us who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from Sinners, and made higher than the heavens. [00:01:48]

Father we come by virtue of the blood of Jesus Christ the blood is mighty it avails here tonight where every single person who has faith in it nor God we come to the blood of sprinkle and denight we come to our great high priest we come to innumerable Angels gathered in the presence of God. [00:02:18]

I know a great high priest that if you come unto him he will save you to the uttermost there's nothing he can't do in your life tonight there's new area in your life that he can't break redeem change sanctify Rectify sees a mighty high priest if you come onto him. [00:08:01]

Do you realize nothing is impossible in your life there's nothing that cannot be touched and changed and rectified do you know why because right now not just that he died for you not just that he shed his blood not just that he laid down his body at Calvary but more than that for this reason because now he liveth to make intercession for them. [00:09:33]

Jesus Christ is interceding for you listen to what it says in Romans chapter 8 verse 34 who is he that condemneth it is Christ who died yay rather that is risen again who is even at the right hand of God now notice what it says who also maketh intercession for us. [00:10:36]

The word to consider means to gaze at to exercise your mind mind to fix your eye to stare at until you study everything concerning Christ consider Jesus Christ as your high priest in other words you're to fix your eyes in Jesus you're to study Jesus you're to activate your mind and study him as your great high priest. [00:12:07]

The word have means ownership possession to have in the hand or to be in relation to to possess him in this ministry when it says we have a high priest it means you possess this you ought to own it you ought to make it your own you ought to grasp a hold of it there ought to be a sense of this belongs to me this is my inheritance. [00:14:32]

He is God he is the Eternal God you know can you imagine all the millions of prayers that are ascending out of this Earth from 8 billion people can you understand who our God is that he instantly every day hears multiplied millions of prayers as are being said and he has personal interest care he is listening to you about your prayer. [00:15:55]

This word intercede and this is what it means in the Greek it means to go to a specific place with a specific purpose to a specific person making a specific request asking something or inquiring of someone for someone something there's nothing vague about this all the persons all the actions all the words are very very exact. [00:18:29]

The blood has been put on the four horns in other words you can't have a Ministry of prayer unless it's by way of the blood it's always the blood it's always through the Precious Blood of the Lamb that blood opens up a way of prayer for you to come before the Throne of God. [00:46:00]

Your prayer I don't care how much you cry how sincere it is how pure how eloquent How doctrinally Sound how heartfelt how persuasive your little prayer would not be acceptable if you didn't have a high priest unless it was for the blood do you see what Christ does he takes the fragrance of his incest and he's ministering and before your prayers reach your heavenly father. [00:49:00]

I believe your high priest right now is praying for you to be kept from the devil kept from the world kept from everything his prayers are effectual there's another thing it has here to be Sanctified he's praying concerning your sanctification not only that you're kept or protected but that you're Sanctified. [01:02:00]

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