In the epistle of Hebrews, we find a portrait of Jesus primarily as our Great High Priest. The author of Hebrews describes various aspects of His priesthood throughout the letter.

1. As our High Priest, Jesus makes complete atonement, and secures eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:11-15).
Several times in the epistle of Hebrews, the author points to Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross as being the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system from the old covenant. In the times of the Old Testament (which is another word for "covenant"), the high priest entered the Most Holy Place in the temple once a year to offer sacrifices for his own sins and then for the sins of the nation of Israel. The blood from this sacrifice was sprinkled on the Ark of the Covenant, on which the Mercy Seat (Heb. 9:5) was located. The word that is used in Hebrews for "Mercy Seat" is the same word which is translated as "propitiation" in Romans 3:25. It basically means "the place of atonement," where God's righteous wrath against sin is satisfied, sin is forgiven, and the sinner is justified before God because of His grace toward us. The writer describes it as the perfect, "once for all" sacrifice. There is no need for another sacrifice, because Jesus' giving of Himself on the cross is enough. Our Great High Priest leaves nothing to be desired in terms of redemption--His sacrifice on our behalf is perfect, and through it, Jesus was "securing an eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12) for us.

2. As our High Priest, Jesus intercedes for us as our Mediator (Hebrews 7:25; 8:6).
The author of Hebrews says that Jesus "always lives to make intercession for" the ones who "draw near to God through Him." This is a statement of part of Jesus' purpose. He lives to intercede, which Merriam-Webster defines as, "to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences, to mediate."Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf, and because of His perfect sacrifice in our place, declares us as righteous and the penalty for sin as satisfied. He mediates our new covenant with God, which is based on His sacrifice rather than imperfect sacrifices we could make on our own behalf. God is both a God of justice and of love, and Jesus is the perfect visible example of these two attributes of God. He went to the cross to satisfy the divine penalty for sin, and He gave Himself up willingly for us because He loves us. Our Great High Priest is for us!

3. As our High Priest, Jesus understands us and sympathizes with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Because He walked among us on this earth, and experienced life as we experience it, Jesus understands us. The writer says that Jesus "in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). He went through trials and difficulties, and sin approached Him throughout His life to tempt Him, yet He did not sin. He came through His life without dishonoring or disobeying God the Father in any way. Rather, He always honored, always obeyed the Father. The effect is two-fold: first, Jesus can relate to our weaknesses and struggles, and He can minister to us and for us in ways that we do not even realize. He is compassionate and loving. He is a better friend and help than we could ever realize on this earth. Second, because He lived this life without blemish, He can lead us to holiness by His own example (not to mention that His sinlessness is the reason His sacrifice in our place for our sins was sufficient - He had to be the spotless Lamb). Ultimately, the writer of Hebrews tells us that we can "then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Jesus is able and willing to help us live this life to the glory of God.

4. As our High Priest, Jesus has made the way for us to have direct access to the holy places (Hebrews 10:19-25).
Prior to Jesus' death on the cross for us, there was only one man who could enter the holy presence of God, in the Holy Place (aka the "Most Holy Place," the "Holiest of All," or the "Holy of holies") contained in the innermost part of the Temple: the High Priest. Read Leviticus 16 to get an idea of how seriously God's presence is to be taken. The High Priest was only allowed to enter once a year (Lev. 16:34), on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). When the High Priest did enter the presence of God through the curtain on that day, he did so with fear and trembling. He had to ceremonially wash properly beforehand, wear the correct holy garments, present the correct offerings, and make an offering to atone first for his own sin (if he did not do this, he would die when he entered God's presence). After he made atonement for himself and his family, he proceeded to make offerings to atone for the sin of the people. If he did anything wrong, he would die. God is serious about sin and about His holiness. Fast forward to the book of Hebrews now. The writer says that "we can have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh." Jesus has opened the way for us to God through His death in our place, so we can go to God "in full assurance of faith" (Heb. 10:22). We have nothing to fear when we go to God. We do not have to worry about dying because of unconfessed or unknown sin in our lives. Rather, we can have confidence that our status with God is secured by Jesus, and not by our own good works. Jesus was perfect in our place, and He has counted His righteousness as our own when we trust and believe Him. Therefore, He has made a way for us into His presence. He has removed the barrier that was there before, and has opened it to all who believe Him.

These are just four of the ways that Jesus cares for us and ministers to us as our Great High Priest. May we trust Him and praise Him for all that He does for us.

In the Son,

Bill Horn
FBC Worship & Arts Pastor