The Christmas Gift: Jesus as Our High Priest
Summary
As we gather in this season of celebration, we are reminded of the significance of Christmas, a time when we intentionally pause to remember and give thanks for our Savior, Jesus Christ. While we celebrate Jesus every day, Christmas offers a special moment to reflect on His birth and the profound impact of His life. At Harvest, we are a family of Christ followers, committed to loving God, loving people, and serving the world. Our vision is to make, grow, and equip followers of Jesus to fulfill their God-given purpose through community, discipleship, and outreach.
As we approach Christmas, I am excited to begin a new series titled "The Christmas Gift," where we will explore the gifts brought by the wise men to Jesus. These gifts—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—were not only valuable but also spiritually significant, foreshadowing what Jesus would represent and accomplish. Today, we focus on frankincense, a gift symbolizing Jesus as our high priest. Frankincense was used by priests during sacrifices, representing the prayers of God's people rising to Him. It signifies Jesus' role as our intercessor, the one who bridges the gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity.
In the Old Testament, priests made sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins and prayed on behalf of the people. Jesus, our high priest, fulfilled these roles by offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, satisfying God's justice and extending His mercy. Unlike the temporary coverings of the old covenant, Jesus' sacrifice is once for all time, providing a permanent covering for our sins. He understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with our struggles, having faced all the same testings we do, yet without sin.
As we reflect on Jesus as our high priest, we are invited to come boldly before the throne of grace, knowing that He cares for us and extends His mercy and grace. Whatever burdens we carry, we can trust that Jesus understands and is with us. Let us embrace the truth that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He loves us and desires a relationship with us.
Key Takeaways:
- Christmas is a time to intentionally pause and remember Jesus, celebrating His birth and the profound impact of His life. It is a moment to reflect on the gift of our Savior and the price He paid for our salvation. [35:33]
- The gifts of the wise men—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—hold deep spiritual significance, foreshadowing Jesus' kingship, priestly role, and sacrificial death. Frankincense, in particular, symbolizes Jesus as our high priest, the one who intercedes for us. [48:46]
- Jesus, our high priest, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, satisfying God's justice and extending His mercy. His sacrifice is once for all time, providing a permanent covering for our sins and bridging the gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. [01:03:00]
- We are invited to come boldly before the throne of grace, knowing that Jesus understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with our struggles. He has faced all the same testings we do, yet without sin, and He is with us in our trials. [01:08:36]
- As we embrace Jesus as our high priest, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He loves us and desires a relationship with us. We can trust in His mercy and grace, finding strength and comfort in His presence. [01:13:24]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[35:33] - Celebrating Christmas
[37:25] - Blessing Others
[41:17] - Holiday Preparations
[44:13] - The Christmas Gift Series
[46:16] - The Wise Men's Gifts
[47:03] - Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
[48:46] - Significance of the Gifts
[49:59] - Frankincense and Its Uses
[53:11] - Jesus, Our High Priest
[54:42] - Understanding Sin and Holiness
[56:35] - God's Holiness
[58:41] - The Day of Atonement
[59:51] - The Scapegoat
[01:01:41] - God's Justice and Mercy
[01:03:00] - The New Covenant
[01:07:21] - Jesus' Empathy
[01:08:36] - Jesus' Understanding
[01:13:24] - Boldly Approaching God
[01:17:01] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:22:18] - Response to the Word
[01:26:59] - Closing and Worship
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 2:10-11
2. Hebrews 10:10-12
3. Hebrews 4:14-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What gifts did the wise men bring to Jesus, and what is their significance as mentioned in the sermon? ([47:03])
2. How does the sermon describe the role of Jesus as our high priest, particularly in relation to the use of frankincense? ([49:59])
3. According to the sermon, what are the two primary functions of a priest in the Old Testament? ([53:11])
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice compared to the Old Testament sacrifices? ([01:03:00])
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the gifts of the wise men foreshadow Jesus' roles and mission? How does this understanding deepen the meaning of Christmas? ([48:46])
2. How does the sermon explain the significance of Jesus being able to sympathize with our weaknesses? What does this mean for believers today? ([01:08:36])
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus' sacrifice was once for all time. How does this concept challenge or affirm your understanding of forgiveness and grace? ([01:03:00])
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between God's holiness and human sinfulness, and what implications does this have for our approach to sin? ([54:42])
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the significance of Christmas as a time to intentionally remember Jesus. How can you incorporate this intentionality into your daily life beyond the holiday season? ([35:33])
2. The sermon invites us to come boldly before the throne of grace. What personal barriers might prevent you from approaching God with confidence, and how can you overcome them? ([01:13:24])
3. Consider the role of Jesus as our high priest who intercedes for us. How can this understanding influence the way you pray and seek God's guidance in your life? ([49:59])
4. The sermon highlights Jesus' empathy and understanding of our struggles. How can this knowledge impact the way you handle your own weaknesses and challenges? ([01:08:36])
5. Reflect on the idea that Jesus' sacrifice provides a permanent covering for our sins. How does this assurance of forgiveness affect your relationship with God and others? ([01:03:00])
6. The sermon discusses the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. How can you cultivate a deeper awareness of God's holiness in your daily life, and what changes might this awareness prompt? ([54:42])
7. The sermon encourages believers to be a blessing to others. Identify one specific way you can bless someone in your community or church family this week. ([37:25])
Devotional
Sure, let's proceed with the devotional:
Day 1: Reflecting on the Gift of Jesus
Description: Christmas is a time to intentionally pause and remember Jesus, celebrating His birth and the profound impact of His life. It is a moment to reflect on the gift of our Savior and the price He paid for our salvation. This season invites us to consider the depth of God's love, manifested in the birth of Jesus, who came to bring hope and redemption to a broken world. As we celebrate, we are reminded that Jesus' life was a gift that changed the course of history, offering us a path to eternal life. [35:33]
Hebrews 2:14-15 (ESV): "Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
Reflection: How can you intentionally pause this Christmas season to reflect on the significance of Jesus' birth and the impact it has on your life today?
Day 2: The Spiritual Significance of the Wise Men's Gifts
Description: The gifts of the wise men—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—hold deep spiritual significance, foreshadowing Jesus' kingship, priestly role, and sacrificial death. Frankincense, in particular, symbolizes Jesus as our high priest, the one who intercedes for us. This gift was used by priests during sacrifices, representing the prayers of God's people rising to Him. It signifies Jesus' role as our intercessor, bridging the gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. As we explore these gifts, we gain a deeper understanding of who Jesus is and what He came to accomplish. [48:46]
Exodus 30:34-36 (ESV): "The Lord said to Moses, 'Take sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum, sweet spices with pure frankincense (of each shall there be an equal part), and make an incense blended as by the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy.'"
Reflection: Consider the symbolic meaning of frankincense as it relates to Jesus' role as our high priest. How does this understanding influence your view of prayer and intercession?
Day 3: Jesus, Our Ultimate High Priest
Description: Jesus, our high priest, offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, satisfying God's justice and extending His mercy. His sacrifice is once for all time, providing a permanent covering for our sins and bridging the gap between the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity. Unlike the temporary coverings of the old covenant, Jesus' sacrifice is complete and eternal. He understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with our struggles, having faced all the same testings we do, yet without sin. This truth invites us to approach God with confidence, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved. [01:03:00]
Hebrews 7:26-27 (ESV): "For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace the truth of Jesus' complete and eternal sacrifice in your daily life, especially when you feel unworthy or distant from God?
Day 4: Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace
Description: We are invited to come boldly before the throne of grace, knowing that Jesus understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with our struggles. He has faced all the same testings we do, yet without sin, and He is with us in our trials. This invitation is a profound reminder of God's love and desire for a relationship with us. We can trust in His mercy and grace, finding strength and comfort in His presence. As we embrace Jesus as our high priest, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He loves us and desires to walk with us through every season of life. [01:08:36]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying today that you need to bring before the throne of grace? How can you practice approaching God with confidence, knowing He understands and cares for you?
Day 5: Embracing a Relationship with God
Description: As we embrace Jesus as our high priest, we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He loves us and desires a relationship with us. This relationship is not based on our performance but on His grace and mercy. We are invited to trust in His love, finding strength and comfort in His presence. This truth encourages us to live out our faith with boldness, knowing that we are fully accepted and loved by God. As we walk with Him, we are empowered to fulfill our God-given purpose and extend His love to others. [01:13:24]
Ephesians 3:12 (ESV): "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with God this week, embracing His love and grace in a way that transforms your daily interactions and decisions?
Quotes
"Look, as believers, we celebrate. We celebrate. We celebrate Jesus all year round, every day of our life, every moment, right? The Bible says our lives are a living sacrifice. But what a special moment we come together and we specifically recognize." [00:35:24] (13 seconds)
"Guys, the holiday is approaching. How many of you would say that things have already started getting a little hectic? Things are getting a little crazy as you're preparing. And it's been a wild week. Our family has had a lot going on, a lot of things preparing for, a lot of things we're doing." [00:41:36] (16 seconds)
"And so, for each week as we move forward, we're gonna talk about a different Christmas gift, each one of these three. So, the first one mentioned is gold. Obviously, it's not... The most valuable of the three. And obviously, it holds that same value today. And that gold represented the kingship of Jesus." [00:49:38] (21 seconds)
"Frankincense was the oil that the priests would burn. They would burn it during sacrifices and it would cause this smoke that would start rising out of the tabernacle into the heavens and it would symbolize the prayers of God's people rising up to him. And that's why many Bible scholars agree that frankincense represents the priestlyness of Jesus." [00:51:41] (22 seconds)
"God is just. He's not just just, he's completely just, right? And holy. And so therefore, there is a punishment. There is a price for sin. But here's the deal. God is not only just, he is also merciful. And that's part of the beauty of what God does." [01:01:41] (21 seconds)
"So, remember, he's talking about the priesthood of Jesus. Because of that, so let us come boldly before the throne of our gracious God. How do we come? We come boldly before the throne of God. Why? Because he cares and he understands. Because he loves us." [01:13:24] (18 seconds)
"How many of you are thankful for Jesus? Man. So thankful. Guys, first and foremost, if you haven't made Jesus Lord of your life, it's the most important decision you will ever make. He is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Amen?" [01:17:01] (21 seconds)
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