24 Series Devotionals - Day 64

 

Many have referred to John 17 as the high priestly prayer of Jesus Christ.  It is a fitting designation because our Lord consecrates Himself in this prayer for the sacrifice in which He is both priest and offering.  It also serves as a prayer of consecration of the disciples walking with him toward Gethsemane, as well as those who would come to faith through their testimony.

 

In the Old Testament, the High Priest had two religious functions that summed up the priesthood:

 

  1. He carried the Urim and Thummim - the means of seeking God's will for Israel.

  2. The High Priest had the names of all twelve tribes etched on precious stones, one on his breastpiece.  Once a year on the day of atonment he entered the place 

      called the "the Most Holy Place" in the tabernacle to make sacrifices for the forgiveness of the sins of all of God's people.  He represented all of the people in the

      Holy of Holies.

 

In the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, only the Ark of the Covenant was inside.  He was under strict regulations for his service for service there.

 

  1. He must be the High Priest; no one else may enter.  There was an appointed person.

  2. He must enter once a year.  There was an appointed time; No other time was accepted.

  3. He must be clean.  An appointed procedure.

  4. He must sacrifice the life of an unblemished living animal.  "The wages of sin is death;" an appointed substitution.  The High Priest would put his hands on the

      head of the victim, symbolizing the transference of national sins on the innocent victim.

  5. He must offer the blood.  "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness."

 

(Continued on Day 65)