OUR MERCIFUL
AND FAITHFUL HIGH PRIEST
“Then said
Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Lu 23: 34)
In the midst of the hellish mob were a people God loved
from everlasting. They were chosen of God in Christ before the foundation of
the world for whom Christ became Surety. Christ said, “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast
given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine: and I
am glorified in them.” (Jn 17: 9)
What mercy to
intercede for those who were treating him with such base venomous enmity. What
faithfulness “having loved his own which
were in the world, he loved them unto the end!” (Jn 13: 1) In mercy and
faith he was laying down his life in the room and stead for many who were
consenting to and relishing in his cruel death, even for one who railed on him
while he hung on a cross beside him. Yet, he would call him to faith in a few
short minutes and many of those ones railing at his feet he would call to faith
in just a little while on the day of Pentecost!
My brethren,
what a merciful and faithful high priest is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!