Reading: Hebrews 5

“He (A high priest-not Jesus) is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray since he himself is subject to weakness.”

-Hebrews 5:2

“And, once made perfect, He (Jesus) became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him. .’” 

-Hebrews 5:9

A high priest was "The Man". He was the top of the food chain when it came to religious leading and teaching of the Israelite's. He was also the only one who could go into the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. He would make a sacrifice for his sins and the people's sins and then he would enter the Most Holy Place and sprinkle the blood onto the mercy seat (this was viewed as God's throne). This was an atonement for himself and the people for everyone's sins committed during that time.

As we read Hebrews 5, we see Jesus called “The Great High Priest”. This is because HE IS THE FINAL ATONEMENT. We read in 1 John 2:2 “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus died for our sins. There is no longer a need for a High Priest to enter the Most Holy Place and make a blood offering to cover our sins because Jesus did that for us. Jesus was flogged, tortured, abused. Jesus died in the most shameful way. FOR US. “The soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull. There they crucified him.” John 19:16b-18a JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD. Ephesians 1:7 says "In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." As the High Priest would do in the Most Holy Place, sprinkle blood onto God’s throne, Jesus’ blood flowed out of him. THE FINAL ATONEMENT.  Once and for all, Jesus died for us. By him being perfect, we are able to one day enter eternity. If this is breaking you up as much as it is me, I would encourage you to pray to Jesus and thank him for that bloodshed. Thank him for going through the flogging and the torture. Thank him for LOVING US SO MUCH… that he SAVED US.  amen.