I must remember that I have no claim upon You, Lord, that is based upon myself. Not even my redeemed self. When Aaron entered the tabernacle to minister for his people, he wore a turban to which were attached the words “Holy to Jehovah” (Exodus 28:36–39, ASV). As long as the high priest wore that miter, all the gifts of the people were accepted by God. It was in the priest, not in the giver, that the acceptance lay.
I offer to God my many gifts—prayer, money, strength, family, time, talents, and so forth. But not one of them is acceptable to God apart from Jesus Christ my High Priest. None of my gifts is free from self, greed, pride, or uncleanness. I can offer little if anything that does not smell of the world and its influence. I need someone to perfect my gift to God, to take it right from my hands, and make it His very own. without any spot or blemish, so that God is perfectly delighted with it. I cannot offer anything to Him directly from myself and have it accepted. Even when I have done my very best, says Jesus, I am still counted among His “unprofitable servants” (Luke 17:10, KJV). This statement forces me to recognize that no matter how pure and willing my motive, the clinging tendrils of earthiness still bind me. Even my best misses the mark.
My only approach is through my wounded High Priest. My claim to acceptance lies first in His Calvary sacrifice and second in His never failing love. Need I worry, then? Never! “He ever liveth to make intercession for [us]” (Hebrews 7:25, KJV). This means more than His endless existence: it means my endless favor with God and my endless assurance that everything fleshly has been strained out of my relationship to Him. Hallelujah!
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
Daily with the King 