Hebrews 5:14

REFLECTIONS

Precious great High Priest of thy people! Lord! I would hail thee as both my Priest, Altar, and Sacrifice. Thou wert indeed taken from among men: for in thy human nature, thou were alone suited for the high office. Who, like Jesus, could have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way: from a knowledge, like Jesus, of the infirmities of our nature, tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin? And who like Jesus, could be begotten to the Son-ship of his holy nature, and be sworn into the office of an high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedec? Surely Lord, none but Jesus could offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins. Neither could there be anything short of thy divine nature, to offer gifts and sacrifices upon, and to give acceptance and efficacy to all offerings, but the Person, blood, and righteousness of God's dear Son? And oh! what everlasting efficacy, hath the one offering of my God and Savior wrought; and his everlasting unchanging priesthood, made secure, to render both his priesthood and his sacrifice of eternal duration, confirmed also by the oath of Him, who hath sworn, and will not repent; Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec!

Oh! for grace from God the Spirit, never to lose sight of the mercy-seat itself, that the whole purpose, for which it is erected is for mercy. There would have needed no mercy-seat, had not Christ's children been sinners. Neither would God the Father have constituted his dear Son, as high Priest, and formed him in our nature in this office, but that he might have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. The very office itself, and the conscious sense of Him Who sits there, are full to this purpose, that God hath chosen Jesus expressly with this view; and Jesus hath infinite dimensions of love, that he might be a merciful and faithful high Priest, in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of his people. Lord! may I never lose sight of these things! May I always have in contemplation thy Person, and thy high priestly office; and by faith, behold my Lord, still, clothed in a vesture, dipped in blood, as if to tell me Jesus wears these robes, in proof of his unceasing office. Let me day by day, come boldly to thy throne, and find grace to help, in all time of need.