Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest
The New Testament book of Hebrews is written by an unnamed pastor to a congregation of Christian Jews. His purpose is to teach the fulfillment of the types and shadows in the Old Testament. They find their fulfillment in Christ Jesus, our Lord. In this article, I wish for us to consider the priesthood of Jesus, the Son of God.
In the Old Testament, we learn that Yahweh, the God of Israel instituted the priesthood, the tabernacle, and the sacrifices to be offered to the everlasting God of heaven and earth. Ultimately, these types are fulfilled in Christ, alone, which is why He alone has the titles: Lamb of God; the Temple (of His body); and our Great High Priest.
In the transition to the subject of Christ’s priesthood, we learn that God appoints from among men, a called-out man to be high priest. In the Aaronic priestly family from the tribe of Levi, there was one who could sympathize with the weakness of the people — Himself being a sinner needing a sacrifice to atone for his own sins, along with the sins of the nation. This required a humility before God and man. He would never take glory for himself because of his position (Heb 5:5).
Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of the Virgin Mary (Mt 1:20; Lk 2:21). He was enfleshed as the incarnate Word of God to become fully man (Jn 1:14), even as He was already fully God (Jn 10:30). Jesus came into the world to save His people from their sins (Mt 1:21). He accomplished this by offering Himself as the one-time acceptable sacrifice for sins (Acts 17:30; Heb 7:27; 9:28).
Designated by God to serve in the priestly order of Melchizedek (Ps 110:4; Heb 6:20), Jesus taught, sang, prayed with loud crying and tears — offering up prayers and supplications — before He went to the cross for crucifixion. There he shed His own precious blood in an act of substitutionary atonement (Lev 16; 1 Pet 2:24). God was in Christ reconciling His people from the whole world and from across time (2 Cor 5:19). In Him, we have the forgiveness of sins (Mt 26:28; Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 1:7).
At the cross of Calvary, our faithful and merciful high priest demonstrated His love for His beloved bride, His church, the Israel of God (Rom 5:8; Gal 6:16). God’s holy nation of royal priests looks to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us…and our faith is in Him who is true (Gal 2:20; Eph 5:2, 25; 1 Pet 2:9). He is the source of eternal salvation; and He saved us (Titus 3:5; Heb 5:9). There is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). In this, Jesus is bringing many sons to glory (Heb 2:10).
The altar of blood sacrifice was Calvary’s cross; but following His death, burial, and resurrection He ascended into heaven, having passed through the heavens (Heb 9:24). There, upon the glorious throne of God (Ps 110:1), Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for His people (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). He is the one Mediator between God and man (1 Tim 2:5); and He is a priest forever (Ps 110:4; Heb 6:19–20). Jesus, who has gone into the presence of God before us, has made the way for unrighteous sinners to have right standing and permanent access (Eph 2:18; 3:12).
The Christian has immediate access to the throne of grace; and this access is permanent. We may boldly approach God in prayer through Jesus Christ. Whereas the high priest in the Old Testament had one day of privileged access to the holy of holies (Yom Kippur), the Christian can approach anytime of any day.
This advantage for the New Testament believer is easily overlooked precisely because it is so easily accessed by us. Mercy and grace from God are abundantly supplied in our times of need (Heb 4:16). We only need to draw near to God in prayer with a true heart and full assurance of faith (Heb 10:22). God hears. He listens. He answers our prayers according to His perfect will. He already knows our need before we ask; but it pleases God that we approach Him in faith (2 Cor 5:9; Heb 11:6).
Christians, of course, join in the intercessory prayers of Jesus and the Holy Spirit by praying for others in the name of Jesus and empowered by His Spirit. We live a lifestyle of prayer because it would be irreverent not to approach God, seeing we have His Spirit dwelling permanently within our hearts. So, we worship God in prayer. We also confess our sins, knowing that He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9).
In addition, just as in the Jerusalem Temple, thank offerings were made to God for His wonderful provision for life and ministry. Today, we give thanks in everything because God is working it all together for our good (Rom 8:28; 1 Thess 5:18). We are being sanctified by God’s Spirit and His Word, just as Jesus prayed for us at Gethsemane (Jn 17:17). If the prayer of a righteous man availeth much, and Jesus is the righteous One, then we must rejoice always because He prayed that our faith will not fail.
Jesus taught that He is the only way to God (Jn 14:6). There is no other access to the one true God than through His only begotten Son, our Lord. We have a priestly Advocate with the Father (1 Jn 2:1), who pleads our case in perfect righteousness. Christians are not ashamed of the exclusivity of our access. Jesus has done great things for the benefit of His church, even as the high priest did for Israel.
Lest we forget, He alone is able to save those who draw near to God through Him (Heb 7:25). Jesus has done everything required for the Law of righteousness to be satisfied (Mt 3:15; 5:17). He Himself fulfilled the Law, even in His priestly duties. Simply put, everything is better in Jesus — and with Jesus as our appointed, called, human, sympathetic, merciful, faithful, great, better, and living High Priest.
My dear reader, there is forgiveness when one goes to the High Priest chosen by God. There is so much more, as we have seen here from God’s Word. Our one, eternal, heavenly, high priest does more than we could ever think or imagine. Let us go to Him, today, tomorrow, and forever. Amen.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 24, 2023
Hebrews 5:1–10
