"Glorified"

       Under the law of Moses, the high priests were "called" to fulfill their intercessory duties for the nation of Israel.  Conversely, God "glorified" His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to serve as the eternal high priest of all who receive His saving grace.

    "No man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.  So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made a high priest, but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, today have I begotten Thee" (Hebrews 5:4-5).

    In order to serve as the One who "ever liveth to make intercession," our Savior had to take upon Himself the robe of our humanity, suffer the most ignominious fate as a man, and then "enter into His glory" through resurrection and ascension (Luke 24:26).  Mere calling would not have sufficed in qualifying the Lord Jesus for His redeeming role of serving as the "one mediator between God and men" (I Timothy 2:5).  Indeed, the sons of Aaron offered the blood of animals as the sacrifice for Israel, blood that had to be offered over and over again.  Christ offered Himself in a one time, perfectly satisfactory sacrifice adequate to "save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him" (Hebrews 7:25).  He then rose from the dead to eternally serve as the mediator whose priesthood in the Heavenlies assures our place forevermore in the presence of God.  "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true, but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).

    A wounded, but glorified High Priest avails for all who join the hymnist in his joyous exultation of trusting in Christ alone, "Nothing in my hands I bring, only to Thy cross I cling!"  Nothing else would avail for lost sinners other than a living Savior who once passed through death, but now reigns in life forevermore.  Moreover, He does not merely sit upon His throne, but rather actively serves His high priestly role of mediation.  Yes, in this moment, we may "come unto God by Him" so long as we seek to come in no other way (Hebrews 7:25).  In times of faithfulness, we may come if we humbly realize and affirm that His faithfulness alone provides our access.  In times of unfaithfulness, we may come if we humbly realize and affirm the same glory of God's grace in Christ.  Our Father glorified His Son - through death, resurrection, and ascension - to serve for the provision and maintenance of our everlasting relationship and fellowship with Himself.  Such blessed truth humbles and encourages our hearts as we divert our gaze from anything and anyone other than our glorious High Priest who now appears - and avails - in the presence of God for us…

"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of God."

(Hebrews 12:2)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous.  Nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

(Hebrews 12:11).