WordLive - Year OneSample

Prepare: ‘Come near to God and he will come near to you’ (James 4:8, NIV). Give thanks for this incredible promise. Day of Atonement Twice every day, throughout the entire year, subordinate priests offered up a number of different sacrifices in the Temple. They were always busy. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, commonly called Yom Kippur, the high priest offered a sacrifice to God on behalf of the people. Because he himself was a sinner, he first had to offer sacrifice for his own sin; then he went through an involved ritual and offered an animal sacrifice on behalf of the people. The perfect priest Jesus, however, is perfect. He doesn’t have to offer a sacrifice for his own sins, only for his people’s. Where today we seek peace within the turmoil of our crazy lives, it can only come from a right relationship with God. Jesus is the only priest who can give us access to God; and see how often he had to offer a sacrifice (v 27). Through Jesus, God established a new covenant with us. We need no longer go to the Temple to have access to God. We do not have to wait for a priest to offer up a sacrifice. We can come into God’s presence at any time of the day in any location. Jesus is always there, interceding with the Father on our behalf. Respond: What barrier exists between you and God today? Ask Jesus to remove it so that you can experience true peace with your Heavenly Father. http://www.wordlive.org/Session/Classic/2012-04-25