Our High Priest...part 3

Part 1 is here. Part 2 is located here.

Let's begin by looking at Matthew 26:62, "The high priest stood up and said to Him, "Do you not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?"'

Now read Matthew 26: 63, "But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, "I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God." Jesus said to him, "You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, AND COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN."'

I found this very interesting. Jesus has basically gone through this whole thing without responding to any of the charges until Caiaphas addresses him in Matthew 26:63. Notice the phrase "I adjure" you... Let's turn to Leviticus 5:1 and see what that tells us, "Now if a person sins after he hears a public adjuration to testify when he is a witness, whether he has seen or otherwise known, if he does not tell it, then he will bear his guilt." What this is saying is if Christ had not answered He would have been guilty of trespass. As we know, Jesus had no sin. When the high priest called on a person to answer by the living God and that person did not respond he would be guilty. That is why Jesus answered Caiaphas at this particular time.

Then in Matthew 26:65 Caiaphas tears his clothes...he rips the blue ephod which is cause for his death. "Then the high priest toe his robes and said, "He has blasphemed!"' At this trial all the elders and all the counsel were there. It would be like having a courtroom filled with 100 attorneys who clearly understood the law. The Jewish people knew it was Passover and they needed a High Priest. Caiaphas was now in trouble. He knew the Law for he was raised as a rabbi - from the cradle. Caiaphas was well aware of what Jesus was saying and claiming to be. Note Psalm 110:1, "The LORD says to my Lord: "Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."' and Psalm 110:4, "The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek." (God says this seven times in Scripture.)

Caiaphas was not conscious of who Jesus was but he did say (not of himself), "...that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whle nation not perish." Now he did not say this on his own initiative, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus was going to die for the nation." (John 11:50-51) Therefore, when he tore his garment, all those who saw and heard this knew they were in trouble because they needed a high priest for the morning sacrifice.

The High Priest would go into the Temple and dress. The Levites would kill the sacrifice and and then would be questioned by the High Priest to be sure the sacrifice was perfect. It was to be a burnt offering...whole and totally consumed by fire. When it was done the words (sounding like this in Hebrew) "Ne ge more," were said. So they needed a new High Priest, a Sacrifice, and an altar. So who is the High Priest? It is Christ...remember the Jordan River? When he came up out of the Jordan he was the High Priest!

Also, remember when the soldiers took Jesus garments and His coat (in Hebrew = tunic)? The tunic was woven of one piece of material and was reinforced at the neck so that it would not tear. Jesus, as the High Priest, had his garment kept intact...it was not torn, as Caiaphas' was. Can you just see the detail that God gives to His Word? Every jot and tittle will be fulfilled.

There were two sacrifices performed each day, one at 9 a.m and the other at 3 p.m. Jesus was nailed to the Cross at 9 a.m. Jesus had vinegar given to him and said "Ne ge more!" (It is finished.) It was the ninth hour (3 p.m.). Jesus knew He was the Great High Priest, He knew the sacrifice was perfect, and only He, Jesus Christ the Savior, could proclaim it!

Joel asked the nation of Israel to not tear their garments but to "rend your heart" (Joel 2:13). Jesus' heart was rent for you. When the Roman soldier stuck the spear in Jesus' side blood and water came out. This was a sign of a sacrifice. When the darkness covered the land it was due to the sin of the world. Jesus as the High Priest was doing His work as High Priest. Many say the darkness was caused by an eclipse of the moon. However, that is impossible. It was Passover and Passover starts with a full moon....when the moon is 180 degrees opposite of the sun. The darkness was a supernatural happening of God.

1 Corinthians 5: 7, "For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed."

As you ponder over what Christ has accomplished for you and for me may your thoughts be, "It is finished!" Have you let His blood be shed for you? I pray so.