March 18

As we are reading through the law I am taken by how important the role of the priest is. Not only did he offer the sacrifices but he was the one who examined everything and decided whether things needed to be thrown out, scraped off, set out for 7 days, in other words there was something wrong or “unclean”, and he was the one who declared people or dwellings or fabrics clean. That really is amazing! Without the priest performing his duties, nothing in question could be designated as clean and nobody’s sin could be atoned for. Did you get that? Nobody could be clean who was unclean and nobody could be forgiven without the work of the priest. That is so good!

Hebrews 4:14 (NIV)
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

Hebrews 7:17-19 (NIV)
17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

We can do nothing but offer what we have, our lives. The rest is done by the priest – Jesus. Do you see that Jesus is our everything? He declares us clean – forever! He declares us forgiven – forever! Give Him praise and give Him our lives!