FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
October 7
THE SANCTUARY DOCTRINE EXPLAINS THE WAY OF SALVATION OF THE GOSPEL (Part 19)
The One-of-a-kind Excelling Priesthood of Christ, God in the flesh, That Exceeds All that We Can Ask or Think. Ponder upon the following:
“In stooping to take upon Himself humanity [at His incarnation], Christ revealed a character opposite the character of Satan. But He stepped STILL LOWER in the path of humiliation. ‘Being found in the fashion [likeness] as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.’ Phil. 2:8.
AS THE [typical , earthly] HIGH PRIEST LAID ASIDE HIS GORGEOUS PONTIFICAL ROBES, AND OFFICIATED IN WHITE LINEN DRESS OF THE COMMON PRIEST, SO CHRIST TOOK THE FORM OF A SERVANT, and offered sacrifice, HIMSELF THE PRIEST, HIMSELF THE VICTIM. ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him.’ Isa. 53:5.
“Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for OUR sins, in which He had NO share, that we might be justified by HIS righteousness, in which WE had no share. He suffered the DEATH which was ours, that might receive the LIFE which was His. ‘With His stripes we are healed.’
“By His life and His death, Christ has achieved EVEN MORE than recovery from the ruin wrought through SIN. It was Satan’s purpose to being about an ETERNAL SEPARATION between God and man: but in Christ we become
MORE CLOSELY UNITED TO GOD than if we had never fallen.
In taking OUR NATURE, the Savior has BOUND HIMSELF TO HUMANITY BY A TIE THAT IS NEVER TO BE BROKEN. Through the eternal ages He is linked with us. [John 3:16 quoted]. He gave Him not only to bear our sins. and to DIE as our sacrifice; HE GAVE HIMSELF TO THE FALLEN RACE.
To assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only-begotten Son to become ONE WITH THE HUMAN FAMILY, FOREVER TO RETAIN HIS HUMAN NATURE.” -E. G. White, Desire of Ages, p. 25, Pacific Press Publishing Asso, 1950.
Yes, there is infinitely more comprehended in the description, “Christ is our one and only “merciful High Priest,” thus, only Mediator, Intercessor, and Advocate with the Father in the heavenly sanctuary!
(To be continued). Bless all, NMF.