Lesson 4: Blessing Through the Messiah

Before you do this lesson, read these verses from the Bible:

Hebrews 4:14-16 -- Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 7:23-25 -- Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 10:11-14 -- Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, 14 because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

Hebrews 10:21-23 -- and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Now read the lesson and do the test at the end. The lesson explains what you have read in the Bible.

What is the Messiah doing now? We have learned that Jesus the Messiah returned to heaven after rising from the dead. What is he doing in heaven? Is he resting? No indeed!
God sent Jesus the Messiah to be our priest, prophet, and king (Hebrews 4:15). In this lesson we shall study the work of Jesus as our priest. The priestly work of Jesus the Messiah means that he is our helper. If we believe in him, we will receive blessings from God.

The Work of a Priest

Aaron was the first high priest of the People of Israel. Aaron's sons were also priests. Aaron the high priest helped the people in many ways. He made animal sacrifices for the sins of the people and prayed to God for the people. He also led the people in worship and offered gifts of thanksgiving to God for the people.

But Aaron could never be a perfect priest because Aaron was not a perfect man. In fact, he made the golden calf for the People of Israel to worship. And Aaron died like all men do. After Aaron died, his work as priest was finished. Other men took his place.

God Sent the Messiah to be Priest Forever

But God had a better plan. God wanted all people to have a perfect priest who would serve us forever. That perfect priest is Jesus the Messiah.

God chose the Messiah to be our perfect priest before the world began (I Peter 1:18-20). The Bible says: "... Christ did not take upon himself the honour of being a priest. Instead, God said to him... 'You will be a priest for ever.' " (Hebrews 5:5-6).

Here are five ways that we know Jesus the Messiah is our perfect high priest:

1.      The Messiah was sent by God to live among people. For this reason the Messiah can understand us. He knows how difficult life is for us (Hebrews 2:17) .
2.      The Messiah lived a perfect life. He showed that we do not have to sin. His life is the perfect example for us to follow (Hebrews 4:15).
3.      The Messiah was filled with grace, mercy, and power (Hebrews 4:16). When he lived on earth, he healed the sick, and helped the poor in a wonderful way.
4.      The Messiah gave his life on the cross as the perfect sacrifice for our sins (Hebrews 10:11-14).
5.      The Messiah rose from the dead. He lives with God in heaven (Hebrews 7:23-25).
No other priest was ever filled with grace and power like the Messiah. No one except the Messiah has given his life on a cross and risen from the dead. Only the Messiah can be our perfect high priest.

The Work of the Messiah as Priest

Jesus the Messiah is our perfect high priest. He works in the world today through the Holy Spirit. The work of the Messiah is to help us. Here are five ways in which the Messiah helps us today:

1.      The Messiah saves us from our sins. Whenever we ask God to forgive us, God does forgive us because the Messiah gave his life for us (Hebrews 7:25-27).

2.      The Messiah gives us power over sin and Satan. Whenever we ask God to help us turn from temptation, the Messiah also asks God to help us. The Messiah understands us and helps us because he also has lived among people. For this reason he understands us perfectly, and he asks God to help us so that we can have strength to turn away from sin and live righteously (Hebrews 7:25).

3.      The Messiah gives us power over Satan and Evil Spirits. We know that Satan tries to bring evil into our lives and our homes. There are many evil spirits (Jinn) who help Satan do his evil work. These evil spirits often trouble people and they bring fear into our lives. Jesus the Messiah is greater than Satan and all the evil spirits. Therefore we can trust Jesus the Messiah to send away Satan and all the evil spirits from us. The evil spirits always go away when we put our trust in Jesus the Messiah. The Messiah himself has promised that in his name we shall cast out evil spirits. (Mark 16:17).

4      The Messiah brings us grace and blessing (baraka) from God. Whenever we pray to God in the name of the Messiah, God answers. Through the Messiah, God gives us comfort and help when we are unhappy, afraid, sick, or helpless. He gives us strength in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

5.      The Messiah brings us into the presence of God. Jesus the Messiah brings all believers into fellowship with God the Father. He opens the way for us to come to God without fear. The Bible says: "We have a great high priest in charge of the house of God (the church). So let us come near to God with a sincere* heart and a sure faith... " (Hebrews 10:21-22).

Keeping on the Way

Christians often speak of the Christian life as The Way (Acts 9:2). The Way is the way of love. It is also the way of blessing. We need to be careful because it is easy to leave The Way. Satan, people who are not believers, and our own desire for sin can lead us from The Way. For this reason we need help.

Here are four suggestions for a believer to stay on The Way:
1.            Read the Bible and pray to God every day.
2.            Tell other people the Good News of Jesus the Messiah.
3.            Worship with other Christians often. They can advise you, pray with you, and give you the encouragement you need. The Bible says: "Let us be concerned for one another to show love and to do good. Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming near" (Hebrews 10:24-25).
4.            When you are tempted to sin, ask God for power to turn from the temptation. If you do sin, ask God to forgive you. Remember that God has appointed Jesus the Messiah to be your helper so that you can have power to stay in The Way.

Here is a difficult word in this lesson.
sincere - true

Learn this verse. Hebrews 7:25: "And so he is able, now and always, to save those who come to God through him, because he lives for ever to plead with God for then."

 

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