Hebrews 4:14-15

Jesus Christ is our High Priest! What a tremendous thing this is for us, and yet so many Christians today fail to realize its impact or understand its importance.

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Hebrews 4:14)

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Hebrew people, explained at great length how Jesus Christ was the “…one sacrifice for sins for ever…” (Hebrews 10:12-14). As Christians, it is necessary that we confess such, as it affects our own justification. He is our sin sacrifice. However, we also need to understand the significance of Christ’s work as High Priest.

Since the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D., the Jewish people have not had a place to offer sacrifices. Accordingly, the whole matter of offering sin sacrifices has passed into the sphere of things which most Christians separate themselves from, as having no meaning for our modern Christian identity. But this ignorance does not diminish the importance of understanding the sacrificial system, since it has a direct bearing on our salvation.

As we look at the sacrificial system and consider the office work of Christ as High Priest, it is imperative that we note:

1. The High Priest was the only one that could make atonement for the community. Speaking of His own sacrificial death, Jesus said, “… I lay down my life… No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself…” (John 10:17-18).
2. The High Priest made the atonement for sin annually, since the sacrifice did not take sin away, only cover it. But by His One Offering, Christ “…hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14).
3. The High Priest was the chief judge in matters of Law, condemning or else justifying the people. Now, “… if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
4. The High Priest made intercession for the community of faith. Of Christ, it is said: “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

We see then the importance of the High Priest’s office work. Christ is our Sacrifice for sin. But His work as High Priest bears a special significance because He is the only one qualified to offer this Sacrifice of Himself. Furthermore, His offering perfects us forever so that He declares us righteous and justified eternally. Because He is Eternal and His Priesthood is unchanging, we have comfort that He is always making intercession on our behalf.

So much of our Christian identity is therefore seen to be predicated (based) upon the office work of Christ as our High Priest. In all points, He is seen to be the fulfillment of this type as He atones, sanctifies, justifies, and intercedes for His people.

“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)