At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are continually reminded of the profound truth that Jesus has perfected the sacrificial system. In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system required a high priest to mediate between God and His people. This system was fraught with uncertainty, as the effectiveness of the sacrifices depended on the righteousness of the high priest. If the high priest was not in right standing with God, the people’s atonement could be compromised.
However, as Tyler highlighted in his sermon, Jesus has become our perfect High Priest, forever changing the way we relate to God. Hebrews 6:19-20 provides us with a powerful assurance: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus: The Perfect High Priest
Jesus, as our High Priest, is not only in right standing with God, but He is also the perfect mediator who has offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. Unlike the high priests of old, who had to repeatedly offer sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people, Jesus’s sacrifice was once and for all. Hebrews 7:27 affirms this: “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”
This truth gives us confidence and assurance in our relationship with God. We no longer have to worry about the imperfections of a human mediator because Jesus, our perfect High Priest, has secured our atonement and reconciliation with God.
An Anchor of Hope
The imagery of Jesus as an anchor of the soul is both comforting and empowering. An anchor provides stability and security, preventing a ship from drifting away in turbulent waters. Similarly, Jesus anchors our souls, providing us with hope and steadfastness in the midst of life’s challenges.
In a world where uncertainty and instability are prevalent, having Jesus as our anchor means we can trust in His unchanging nature and His promises. Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” This constancy assures us that our hope in Him is secure.
Living Out Our Mission
At Lakeview Christian Church, our mission to “Be the change as Jesus has changed us” is deeply rooted in the understanding of Jesus as our High Priest and anchor. Through “Just 3″—Study, Share, and Serve—we seek to embody this change in our daily lives.
- Study: By studying God’s Word, we deepen our understanding of Jesus’s role as our High Priest and anchor. This knowledge strengthens our faith and equips us to live confidently in His promises.
- Share: We are called to share the hope we have in Jesus with others. As we build relationships and engage with our community, we testify to the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
- Serve: Our service is an expression of the love and hope we have in Jesus. By serving others, we demonstrate the love of Christ in action, making a tangible impact in our community and beyond.
Conclusion
Jesus, our perfect High Priest and anchor of hope, invites us into a relationship of confidence and assurance with God. At Lakeview Christian Church of Portage Lakes, we are committed to living out this truth through our mission to “Be the change as Jesus has changed us.” As we study, share, and serve, we reflect the love and hope of Christ, impacting our world for His glory. Join us in this journey of transformation and be part of a community anchored in the steadfast love of Jesus.
