Episode Transcript
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Day 2 – High Priest
1. Brief Daily Focus – High Priest
Aaron was the first High Priest. Priests performed sacrifices to cover people's sins. So, they served God on behalf of Israel.
Incidentally, the High Priest had the sober responsibility of entering the Most Holy Place once a year to make a special sacrifice to God. Subsequently, the High Priest made extreme preparations to enter that sacred place. If a mistake was made, he might drop dead – and be dragged out by a rope tied to his ankle.
The final Great High Priest, Jesus, ran ahead of you into the invisible, real Holy of Holies. Since no human can enter that place because of sin – and live to tell about it – it's noteworthy that Jesus – a man – ran into the very presence of God. Jesus wants you to follow! So, follow Him!
Christ's sacrifice makes it possible to enter the Most Holy Place. You don't need to fear. Actually, Jesus wants you to live there, close to Him. Jesus, the Great High Priest, makes HOPE firm and secure.
Grab onto this hope - like grabbing onto the horns of the altar in the Most Holy Place - an Old Testament gesture showing a plea for mercy.
An altar is where you:
• Kneel in repentance.
• Confess sins.
• Agree you need Jesus in every life situation.
• Die to self-interests and live for God’s interests.
• Surrender your life to God.
• Trust and obey Him in all issues.
• Give all your love to God. (heart, soul, mind, strength)
• And when you get back up, you are a living stone! *
* If you've not heard the term, "living stone," in just a moment, we'll share a Scripture that helps explain it.
High Priest Scriptures
• "Therefore, since we have a Great High Priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." (Heb. 4:14)
• " . . . our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a High Priest forever . . ." (Heb. 6:20)
• “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ . . . you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Pet. 2:5 & 9)
2. Fun Activity
I made this flannel set when my kids were small. They loved using it.
Cut a large, light color flannel fabric (ideally 2' high X 3' wide - but can be smaller) into a heart - a symbol of God's great love. Then cut the following pieces from colored flannel.
• 2 crosses of one color. 1 cross a different color.
• Spring flowers, a little chick, a bunny, a few colored eggs – all to represent “new life” Jesus gives.
• Black tomb rock shape with a door cut to take away or put back into place.
• Large nail or spike.
• Numbers 1, 2, 3 for 3 days in the tomb.
• A man shape representing Jesus.
• Thorny crown for the head of "flannel Jesus.”
• Majestic gold/yellow crown to replace crown of thorns after resurrection.
• An angel to "tell the good news."
• Cloud that shows Jesus ascending into Heaven.
• A throne for ascended Jesus as LORD.
Tell the Easter story with this set. Incidentally, you can also use a couch back for the flannel pieces.
Alternate Activity – if you aren't able to make this flannel set
• Draw/sketch or paint a meaningful Easter picture.
• Use modeling clay or play-do to create your own Easter scene.
• Meet a friend for coffee (or call) and reflect on the meaning of each piece of the Easter story.
Tell the Easter story again on Good Friday to your family / group / friends / roommate.
3. Teaching Point
The teaching point of this story is incredible HOPE - only possible through your High Priest. No other story so strongly reinforces hope.
Since God's love and strategy unfolds in the Easter story, respond with JOY to your High Priest. Embrace every display of your High Priest enriching your life. Just open your heart and take it in by faith.
After all, you belong to God now.
Embrace new HOPE and JOY this week.
