Hebrews 7:26-28 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever. Big Idea: Jesus is our perfect high priest. Hebrews 7:26 For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. …holy… Greek - hosios - ὅσιος: “holy, pious, devout” Greek - hasios - ἅγιος: To be separate. A set apartness. Consecrated to God. Romans 7:16-19 Now if I do what I do not want to do, I agree with the law that it is good. So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV) “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” “Right now it is impossible for us to see God in his pure essence. Before that can ever happen, we must be purified. When Jesus taught the beatitudes, he promised only a distinct group the vision of god: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ None of us in this world is pure in heart. It is our impurity that prevents us from seeing God. The problem is not with our eyes; it is with our hearts. Only after we are purified and totally sanctified in heaven will we have the capacity to gaze upon Him face-to-face.” RC Sproul, The Holiness of God How the world views God's holiness: …innocent… Isaiah 53:6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. …undefiled… Luke 5:31-32 Jesus replied to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a doctor, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” “When He was ministering on earth, our Lord was a friend of publicans and sinners, but His contact with them did not defile His character or His conduct. There was contact without contamination.” Warren Wiersbe Philippians 3:18-20 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame; and they are focused on earthly things. Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. …separated from sinners… Psalm 51:5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me. He was not isolated; He was separated.> Warren Weirsbe 2 Corinthians 5:21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. …exalted above the heavens. Hebrews 1:3 After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. Ephesians 1:20-22 He exercised this power in Christ by raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens— far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he subjected everything under his feet and appointed him as head over everything for the church… Hebrews 7:27-28 He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do—first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all time when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son, who has been perfected forever. “Since the law makes no real priests, the defect must by some other means be remedied; and it is remedied by the word of the oath; for Christ was made a priest, being not of the common order of men, but the Son of God, subject to no defect, but adorned and endowed with the highest perfection.” John Calvin 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Next Step: I will repent and submit my life to Christ. Next Step: I want to know more about what it means to follow Jesus.