Jesus Christ – The Great High Priest: Biblical Foundation and Significance for Believers.

 

Introduction: The Unique Role of the High Priest

In the Old Testament worship system, the high priest held a central place. He was the mediator between a holy God and a sinful people, the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the nation. The New Testament reveals a stunning truth: all these images and rituals pointed to the person and ministry of Jesus Christ – the perfect and eternal High Priest.

This article explores all key Scripture passages where Jesus is explicitly called the High Priest and explains the profound significance of this role for our faith and salvation.

1. Prophetic Foreshadowing: Psalm 110:4

The first indication of the Messiah's special priesthood is found in the Old Testament:

"The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'" (Psalm 110:4, NIV).

This verse, often quoted in the New Testament, establishes two crucial aspects of Christ's priesthood:

· Eternal: "a priest forever" – unlike mortal Levitical priests.

· Special Order: "in the order of Melchizedek" – a royal and universal priesthood, superior to the Levitical one (Melchizedek was both king and priest, Gen. 14:18).

2. The Primary Exposition: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The book that most fully and deeply expounds on Jesus's ministry as High Priest is the Epistle to the Hebrews. This is the main source for our topic.

a) Jesus – The Merciful and Faithful High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)

"For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."

The emphasis here is on incarnation. Jesus became human to fully understand our weaknesses and to become a merciful intercessor.

b) Jesus – The High Priest of Our Confession (Hebrews 3:1)

"Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest."

The author urges believers to pay close attention (fix your thoughts) to this dual role of Jesus: Apostle from God and High Priest to God.

c) Jesus – The High Priest Who Has Gone Through the Heavens (Hebrews 4:14-15)

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."

This is one of the most encouraging passages. Our High Priest is:

· Great and exalted ("ascended into heaven").

· Sympathetic, having gone through temptations.

· Sinless – the key distinction that makes His sacrifice effective.

d) Jesus – High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-10; 6:20; 7:11-28)

Entire chapters (5-7) are dedicated to comparing Jesus's priesthood "in the order of Melchizedek" with the Old Testament Levitical priesthood. The main superiorities of Christ are highlighted:

· Eternal: "he lives forever" and "has a permanent priesthood" (7:24).

· Blameless: He is "holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners" (7:26).

· Royal: He is both King and Priest.

· Founded on God's Oath: "The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind..." (7:21).

· Offering the Perfect Sacrifice: He sacrificed Himself once for all (7:27).

e) Jesus – The High Priest in the True Tabernacle (Hebrews 8:1-3; 9:11)

"Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human." (8:1-2, NIV).

Jesus's ministry takes place not in an earthly temple, but in the heavenly reality, making it absolutely effective.

3. The Climax of the Ministry: Intercessor and Source of Salvation (Hebrews 10:21)

"...and since we have a great priest over the house of God..."

This verse sums it up and calls us to use the open access to God that we have received through the ministry of our High Priest.

What Does It Mean for Us Today That Jesus Is the Great High Priest?

1. Full Access to God: The temple veil was torn (Matt. 27:51). Now every believer can approach God's throne of grace with confidence (Heb. 4:16).

2. Understanding Intercession: Jesus lived as a man, so He intercedes for us before the Father, fully understanding our struggle (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34).

3. Final Forgiveness: His sacrifice is perfect and sufficient for all time. We do not need to bring new sacrifices for sin (Heb. 10:10-14).

4. An Enduring Hope: Our salvation rests on the eternal and unchangeable priesthood of Christ, not on our changeable feelings (Heb. 6:19-20).

Conclusion: Our Response to the Ministry of the Great High Priest

The biblical revelation of Jesus as the Great High Priest is not just a theological doctrine. It is the foundation for confidence, peace, and boldness in the Christian life. The author of Hebrews draws a practical call from this truth:

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess... let us draw near to God with a sincere heart... let us consider how we may spur one another on..." (Heb. 10:23-24, paraphrased).

Because we have such a High Priest, we can live with assurance, stand firm in faith, and boldly approach God, finding mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.

Call to Action: Thank Jesus Christ, your Great High Priest, today for His ministry of intercession and His perfect sacrifice. Use the access to God given to you in prayer, knowing that you are heard by One who fully understands you and loves you immeasurably.