Jesus, Our Great High Priest

Because of the fall of man and his becoming the object of God’s disfavor and wrath because of sin, it is necessary for us to have a mediator between God and man. Here lies the awesome power of Christ’s cross toward mankind, saving him from God’s wrath by accomplishing for mankind what he could have never done on his own.

1 Timothy 2:5-6 – 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. NASB

Christ became this mediator for us and fulfilled the ministry of the Priesthood to us. In this priestly work, Jesus did everything right and He satisfied the requirements of the Holy Father perfectly. He was a holy and undefiled sacrifice which appeased God’s wrath “once for all.”

Hebrews 7:26-27 – 26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. NASB

Because Jesus priestly work was holy and undefiled, His work was sufficient to make us perfect in God’s sight forever. There is no other sacrifice needed except for the “One” that has been offered by Christ. It is the final priestly work needed to mediate between God and man, so when Christ had completed it, He “sat down at the right hand of God.”

Hebrews 10:11-14 – 11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. 14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. NASB

Jesus priestly work has cleansed us in such a way that we have been completely sanctified, washed and cleansed from the guilt and shame of our sins. So the scripture declares..

1 Corinthians 6:11 – 11 And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God. NASB

In this, we can have great assurance in the salvation that Jesus has worked for us. It is indeed complete and comprehensive. Jesus priestly work on the cross is perfectly complete so that our sins are completely forgiven in a way that we stand before God holy and blameless and beyond any reproach.

Colossians 1:21-22 – 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach  NASB

Because Christ has died one time for the sins of all of His people, He therefore has provided a complete and eternal reconciliation with God and He Himself is the mediator between God and man forever. God will never again have His holy anger aroused by our sins because of the perfect priesthood of Christ. This intercession is not only “one time” at salvation, but is an ongoing ever-present intercession which satisfies God and provides a way of eternal reconciliation to God.

Hebrews 7:23-27 – 23 And the former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24 but He, on the other hand, because He abides forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25 Hence, also, He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. NASB

1 John 2:1-2 – 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; 2 and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. NASB

Therefore we can have confidence in approaching God because Jesus has perfectly interceded for us with God and opened a way for us to approach God and find help from Him for all of our needs.

Hebrews 10:19-22 – 19 Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. NASB   

Hebrews 4:15-16 – 15 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. 16 Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need. NASB

In Christ’s human nature He has faced the limitations and sufferings which are common to man. Because God has in Christ become a man and walked where we walk and experienced our suffering, He is therefore able to relate to and sympathize with our weakness. With Jesus we will find a compassionate and loving priest, the true heavenly Priest of God Most High, who cares for us and who is sympathetic to our needs and opens His heart of mercy to help us. 

Hebrews 2:17-18 – 17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 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. NASB

Let us therefore learn the great benefit that is ours through the Priestly ministry of Jesus our Lord. He has performed everything necessary to reconcile us to God so that now we have peace with God through Him and help in our time of need from Him.

Romans 5:1-2 – 1 Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. NASB