Jesus Our High Priest
The concept of Jesus being our High Priest stands at the heart of New Testament theology, particularly in the Epistle to the Hebrews. This title encapsulates the unique mediatorial work of Jesus Christ on behalf of humanity. Understanding Jesus as high priest is essential for grasping the nature of salvation, our relationship to God, and the ongoing spiritual privileges and responsibilities of believers. This article will explore the biblical foundations of Jesus’ high priesthood, its significance, and its implications for Christian identity and advocacy.
High Priesthood of the Old Testament
To appreciate the New Testament’s teaching on Jesus as high priest, we consider the Old Testament priesthood, particularly the role of the high priest. In the Mosaic covenant, the high priest was the chief religious official, responsible for offering sacrifices for the sins of the people and entering the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). The high priest acted as a mediator between God and Israel, symbolizing the need for atonement and the barrier that sin creates between humanity and God.
The high priest’s ministry was marked by limitations. He was himself a sinner, required to offer sacrifices for his own sins (Hebrews 5:3). His access to God’s presence was restricted and temporary, and the sacrifices he offered could not ultimately remove sin but only cover it temporarily (Hebrews 10:1-4). The Levitical priesthood, therefore, pointed forward to a greater priesthood and a more effective mediator.
Jesus as the Fulfillment of the High Priesthood
The book of Hebrews in the New Testament presents Jesus as the fulfillment and perfection of the high priestly office. Hebrews 4:14-16 declares, “Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.
Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus is both fully divine and fully human (Hebrews 2:17). He is able to sympathize with human weakness because he was “tempted as we are, yet without sin.” His sinlessness qualifies him uniquely to represent humanity before God and to offer a perfect sacrifice.
Jesus’ priesthood is also superior because it is eternal and unchangeable. Hebrews 7:23-25 explains, “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus’ resurrection and ascension mean that his priestly ministry is ongoing and effective for all who trust in him.
The Sacrifice of the High Priest
Central to the high priest’s role was the offering of sacrifice. The Old Testament sacrifices were shadows, pointing to the reality fulfilled in Jesus. Hebrews 9:11-12 states, “But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Jesus, as high priest, offers not the blood of animals but his own blood. His self-offering on the cross is the once-for-all sacrifice that truly atones for sin. The efficacy of his sacrifice is rooted in his perfect obedience and divine nature. As Hebrews 10:12 affirms, “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.” The finality and sufficiency of Jesus’ sacrifice mean that no further offering for sin is needed.
Jesus as Advocate and Intercessor
The high priestly ministry of Jesus does not end with his sacrificial death. He continues to serve as advocate and intercessor for believers. Hebrews 7:25 emphasizes that Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for those who come to God through him. This means an ongoing application of the benefits of his once-for-all sacrifice.
The apostle John echoes this truth in 1 John 2:1: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” Jesus’ advocacy is grounded in his righteousness and his finished work. He pleads the merits of his own sacrifice on behalf of believers, securing their forgiveness and acceptance before God.
The advocacy is far from just a legal transaction; it is deeply personal. Jesus, having experienced human weakness and temptation, is able to empathize with the struggles of his people. Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that he is “able to sympathize with our weaknesses.” It assures us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that our high priest understands our struggles and intercedes for us with compassion.
The Title and Identity of Christians
If Jesus is our high priest, what does that make us as his followers? The New Testament teaches that Christians are his “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). This priestly identity is derivative and participatory. Believers do not replace Jesus as high priest, but they share in his priestly ministry by virtue of their union with him.
As a royal priesthood, Christians are called to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:5). These include praise, thanksgiving, acts of love and service, and the presentation of our bodies molded in God’s image as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). The priesthood of all believers is grounded in the unique and unrepeatable priesthood of Jesus, who has opened the way for direct access to God.
We have a profound privilege and gift of access to the Lord. Hebrews 4:16 exhorts believers, “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Because Jesus has entered the heavenly sanctuary as high priest, Christians are invited to approach God boldly, not in fear or uncertainty, but in the assurance of acceptance and help.
The Role of Jesus as High Priest and Advocate
The role of Jesus as high priest is multifaceted. He is the perfect mediator, the once-for-all sacrifice, the continual intercessor, and the compassionate advocate. Each aspect of his priestly ministry addresses a fundamental human need: the need for atonement, the need for access to God, the need for ongoing forgiveness, and the need for sympathetic understanding.
Jesus’ high priesthood also reveals the character of God. It demonstrates both the severity and the kindness of God (Romans 11:22). God’s justice requires a perfect sacrifice for sin, and his love provides that sacrifice in the person of his Son. The cross is the place where God’s justice and mercy meet, and the high priestly ministry of Jesus ensures that the benefits of the cross are continually applied to those who trust in him.
Pastoral and Practical Implications
The doctrine of Jesus as high priest assures believers that their sins are truly forgiven, that their prayers are heard, and that their struggles are understood. It calls Christians to perseverance, as Hebrews 4:14 urges: “let us hold fast our confession.” It also calls for humility and gratitude, recognizing that access to God is not earned but graciously given through the work of Jesus.
Furthermore, the priestly identity of believers calls them to lives of holiness and service. As those who have been cleansed and set apart by the high priest, Christians are to reflect his character in the world, serving as mediators of God’s grace to others.
Conclusion - Jesus the High Priest
Jesus is our High Priest. This is the cornerstone of Christian faith and life. Jesus fulfills and surpasses the Old Testament priesthood, offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, interceding continually for his people, and inviting them into the very presence of God. As Christians, our title is that of a royal priesthood, called to draw near to God, to offer spiritual sacrifices, and to live in the confidence and assurance that comes from having such a great high priest. This truth is both a comfort and a calling, shaping the identity and mission of the people of God in every generation.