Who is Jesus? The High Priest

The High Priest

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. (NIV)

            Prior to the fall of man, there was no need for a priest whose role was to carry out certain ordinances such as making atonement for the sins of the people as well as himself. Sin was something that had not been introduced and therefore, there had never been any shedding of blood. Once wickedness entered man’s heart, blood had to be shed in order to make atonement for his sins. Hebrews 9:22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. (NIV) The priests had to offer up annual sacrifices of animals for the people to receive forgiveness of their sins, but this was only a temporary solution due to the animals’ blood not having the ability to permanently take away their sins. That was something that only Jesus could do with everlasting results. Hebrews 10:4-7  ⁽⁴⁾It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. ⁽⁵⁾Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: “Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; ⁽⁶⁾with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. ⁽⁷⁾Then I said, “Here I am – It is written about me in the scroll – I have come to do your will, my God.” (NIV) Jesus became the sacrifice that was able to permanently end the slaughtering of animals for all times. He bore our sins, so that we could receive permanent forgiveness from the Father and in so doing, also became our High Priest.

            The Bible lets us know that the first person who had been chosen as a priest by God was Moses’ brother, Aaron. Exodus 28:1-2 “Have Aaron your brother to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priest. Make sacred garments for your brother Aaron, to give him dignity and honor. (NIV) Aaron had been designated by God to be the earthly high priest by serving in the man-made sanctuary, which was a copy of what is in Heaven, but even Aaron’s role was mediocre to what was actually needed. 

            The priests were to ensure that the laws of God were carried out, but when Jesus came and died, there was a changed of the priesthood and the laws, which were originally written on tablets of stone, were instead written on our hearts and minds. Hebrews 8:10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (NIV) It was impossible for man to keep the laws perfect and this was why there had to be priests, who could intercede on the people’s behalf, but even they were not perfect and had to also offer sacrifices for their own sins.

            Jesus, the High Priest, never had to offer a sacrifice for His sins because He had never committed any. He came to be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and His blood was shed so that we could have eternal redemption, through which there could have been no other way made possible for that to happen. Hebrews 9:15 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance – now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (NIV) We are now able to go through Jesus, who is our High Priest, Lord and Savior, to get forgiveness for our sins rather than going through a human priest who has his own flaws and needs forgiveness as well.

            The first covenant (the Ten Commandments, 603 additional laws, and circumcision) required the blood of animals to receive forgiveness when broken, but the second covenant (the Ten Commandments wrapped up in two, love God and each other) only requires repentance to Jesus directly; for the shedding of blood was already done at the cross. Hebrews 10:11-14 ⁽¹¹⁾Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties, again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. ⁽¹²⁾But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ⁽¹³⁾and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.⁽¹⁴⁾For one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are mine made holy. (NIV)