Jesus, Our High Priest

Jesus, Our High Priest

By Apostle Felix

14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. 

Hebrews 4: 14 – 16

Under the Old Covenant, Aaron was appointed by Moses as the first High Priest, a role that required him to be physically unblemished and exemplary in his personal conduct. As the sole mediator between God and the people, the High Priest alone was permitted to enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer animal blood for his own sins and the sins of the entire nation. The community could not participate in these temple rituals; instead, they watched and waited outside the Tabernacle, as the remission of their sins depended entirely on his actions. Consequently, it was the High Priest’s sole responsibility to confess the collective sins of the nation while laying his hands upon the scapegoat before releasing it into the wilderness.

8  And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats; one lot for the LORD, and the other lot for the scapegoat.
9  And Aaron shall bring the goat upon which the LORD’S lot fell, and offer him for a sin offering.
10  But the goat, on which the lot fell to be the scapegoat, shall be presented alive before the LORD, to make an atonement with him, and to let him go for a scapegoat into the wilderness. 

Leviticus 16: 8 – 10

Unlike the Levitical priesthood, Jesus’ priesthood follows the order of Melchizedek. Under the Old Covenant, the high priest and all serving priests had to be descendants of the tribe of Levi; however, Jesus descended from the lineage of Judah, a tribe with no historical connection to the priesthood. Melchizedek served as both a priest and the king of Salem, which means “peace.” While the scriptures say relatively little about Melchizedek, they record that he blessed Abraham upon his return from defeating the five kings—a significant act, since biblical principle establishes that the greater always blesses the lesser.

1  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 

7  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

17  For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

Hebrews 7: 1, 7, 17

Jesus’ priesthood is vastly superior to the Levitical priesthood because of the nature of His sacrifice and the sanctuary He entered. Under the Levitical order, priests repeatedly offered the blood of animals within an earthly Tabernacle built by human hands. In contrast, Jesus offered His own precious blood and entered the very presence of God to make atonement for the sins of the world. Furthermore, while animal sacrifices had to be performed year after year for the nation of Israel, Jesus shed His blood once and for all. His priesthood remains superior because His single, final sacrifice completely removed human sin, eliminating any need for Him to die ever again.

11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 

Hebrews 9: 11 – 13

The blood of Jesus provides believers with unbroken, eternal access to God. Through His unique priesthood order, every single believer has been made righteous and ordained as a priest. Consequently, we no longer need a human mediator to stand between us and God. Instead, we can all approach His throne of grace with absolute boldness, presenting our petitions directly in the name of Jesus.

11  And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12  But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 

14  For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 

Hebrews 10: 11, 12, 14