LESSON 2.—APRIL 13.—OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.
[Note to the Student.—These lessons are not designed to be exhaustive, but suggestive. In references to the “Desire of Ages,” in the lessons, the subscription edition is referred to. Those who have only the trade edition will find the matter in chapters 4, 11, 27, 71, 77, 78; also read “Patriarchs and Prophets,” chapters 5 and 30. “Christ Our Advocate,” Bible Students’ Library No. 120 (price, 10 cents), and “Looking unto Jesus” (price, $1.00) will be found a great help. The SIGNS OF THE TIMES will have an article on the subject of each lesson this quarter by J. O. Corliss. Read these articles in connection with the study of the lesson. We have not space to print all the Scriptures. Let the student study them carefully from the Bible. Those printed are from the Revised Version.] 1. Whom are we exhorted to consider? “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, even Jesus.” Heb. 3:1. 2. What statements are made that show that this subject requires study and divine enlightenment? “And having been made perfect, He became unto all them that obey Him the Author of eternal salvation; named of God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 5:9. “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing. For when by reason of the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of solid food. For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe. But solid food is for full-grown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.” Heb. 5:11-14. 3. For what purpose is a high priest ordained? “For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; wherefore it is necessary that this high priest also have somewhat to offer.” “For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Heb. 8:3; 5:1. 4. What gift did Christ offer? “And walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.” Eph. 5:2. “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish unto God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Heb. 9:14. (Note 1.) 5. By whom and how was Christ made high priest? “And inasmuch as it is not without the taking of an oath (for they indeed have been made priests without an oath; but He with an oath by Him that saith of Him, ‘The Lord sware and will not repent Himself, Thou art a priest forever.’) Heb. 7:20, 21. 6. To what order of priesthood was Christ appointed? “Whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” Heb. 6:20. 7. Why was He not made a priest after the order of Aaron? “Now if there was perfection through the Levitical priesthood (for under it hath the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be reckoned after the order of Aaron?” “For there is a disannulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness (for the law made nothing perfect), and a bringing in thereupon of a better hope, through which we draw nigh unto God.” Heb. 7:11, 18, 19. (Heb. 10:1. Note 2.) 8. What is said of the nature of Christ’s work as priest? “And every priest indeed standeth day by day ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, the which can never take away sins; but He, when He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made the footstool of His feet. For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Heb. 10:11-14. (Heb. 7:23, 24). 9. What is He able to do? “Wherefore also He is able to save to the uttermost them that draw near unto God through Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25. 1. “None but the Son of God could accomplish our redemption; for only He who was in the bosom of the Father could declare Him. Only He who knew the height and depth of the love of God could make it manifest. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen man could express the Father’s love to fallen humanity.”—Steps to Christ, p. 13. 2. Jesus Christ was both king and priest. Aaron was only priest. Jesus reigns with His Father on the throne of grace while He reconciles souls to God. He reconciles souls that He may reign in their hearts. Aaron could not rightly typify Christ our royal priest, our reconciling King.