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In this series we're talking about the names and descriptive
phrases identifying Jesus. Thus far we've talked about Jesus
as God,
Lord,
Savior,
Christ,
Creator,
the Word,
the Son of
God, the life,
the Light,
the Lamb
of God, the Firstborn,
the head
of the church, our high
priest and King, an Author,
a Shepherd,
and the propitiation
for our sins.
In this article, we continue talking about Jesus as our
high priest.
Review
Last time, we noticed that Jesus' priesthood is after the
order of Melchizedek, who like Jesus was both king and priest
(Heb. 7:1).
Therefore, as Jeremiah prophesies, God would establish
another covenant, since one man could not hold both offices
under the Mosaic Law (Jer. 31:31-32; Heb. 8:1-13).
Hence, God changed the law, and we live under the law
of Christ today (Heb. 7:12-14;1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).
Jesus is a Merciful and Faithful High Priest
Jesus is a "merciful and faithful high priest in things
pertaining to God" (Heb. 2:17).
To become such a high priest, Jesus had to be made like
us in all things (Heb. 2:17).
Therefore, He came to earth in the flesh to make propitiation
for our sins, offering the sacrifice that covers and remits
our sins.
- "Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren
in all things, so that He might become a merciful
and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,
to make propitiation for the sins of the people"
(Heb. 2:17).
- "Every priest stands daily ministering and offering
time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for
sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God"
(Heb. 10:11-12).
Having been made like us in all things, Jesus was tempted
in the things that He suffered, enabling Him to help when
we're tempted.
- "For since He Himself was tempted in that which
He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those
who are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest because He
made propitiation for our sins, and helps us when we're
tempted.
Jesus is a Great High Priest
Jesus, the Son of God, is a great high priest who has passed
through the heavens, and now sits at the right hand of God
(Heb. 4:14; 8:1).
- "Therefore, since we have a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son
of God . . ." (Heb. 4:14).
- "Every priest stands daily ministering and offering
time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take
away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for
sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God"
(Heb. 10:11-12).
Since our great high priest, Jesus Christ, is at the right
hand of God, we hold fast our confession, confidently drawing
near to God's throne of grace. This is possible because
Jesus was tempted as we are, yet he did not sin.
- "Therefore, since we have a great high priest
who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession. 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. Therefore let us draw near with
confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need"
(Heb. 4:14-16).
Therefore holding fast our confession, confident in God's
grace and Christ's intercession, we don't forsake the assembly
of the saints. As a result, we encourage one anther, stimulating
one another to love and good deeds.
- "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and
let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and
good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together,
as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another;
and all the more as you see the day drawing near" (Heb.
10:23-25).
Jesus Intercedes as our High Priest
Since Jesus continues as high priest forever, He saves forever,
making intercession for us as our high priest.
- "But Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues
forever, holds His priesthood permanently.
Therefore He is able also to save forever those
who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:24-25).
Jesus can make intercession for us because He died, was
raised, and is at the right hand of God, as our high priest
(Rom. 8:24; Heb. 10:11-12).
Interceding for us, Jesus pleads our case as our Advocate,
on the throne of God.
- "My little children, I am writing these things to you
so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;
and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not
for ours only, but also for those of the whole world"
(1 Jn. 2:1-2).
To be continued.
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