Steven A. Bush - July 16, 2023
A Better High Priest & A Better Atonement
Since the exodus, God's people have tested the Lord over and over again. There was the golden calf incident. There was the first water from the rock event as Massah. There was Taberah where fire consumed many. There was the clamoring for quail episode. Then there was the 12 spy expedition and the subsequent revolt of the 10 spies that nearly got the nation destroyed. Korah's rebellion closely followed. These have all been hard lessons for God's people. We might even call them wakeup calls on a celestial scale. But did they wake anybody? Did their hearts change? Sadly, no! Moses and Aaron spent much time on their faces pleading with God for mercy. Atonement offerings were made continuously. But Hebrews 10:12-13 tells of a Better Atonement made by a Better High Priest! The text reads: "But our High Priest offered Himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then He sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. There He waits until His enemies are humbled and made a footstool under His feet." (NLT) Jesus became both our High Priest and the Atoning Sacrifice! This is the atonement to end all atonements! And this He did to make us both Holy and His forevermore! Praise be to God for His indescribable Gift!
Scripture References: Numbers 16:36-50, Numbers 17:1-13, Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13-14, Hebrews 9:11-12, Hebrews 10:10-14, Hebrews 9:27-28