Jesus Our High Priest

Hebrews 7:26-27 ESV
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest (Jesus Christ) holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.  He has no need, like those (other) high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself (on the cross).”

The title priest means one who mediates in religious services. It also means one who is holy or set apart to perform those services. Priests were responsible for making intercession to God for the people by offering the many sacrifices that the law required.

Among the priests, one was selected as the High Priest, and he entered into the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to place the blood of the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:7).

By these daily and yearly sacrifices, the sins of the people were temporarily covered until the Messiah came to take away their sins. Jesus offered a sacrifice to satisfy the Law of God when He offered Himself for our sins on the cross.

Unlike the Levitical priests, who had to continually offer sacrifices, Jesus only had to offer His sacrifice once. Jesus gained eternal redemption for all who come to God through Him.

One other important point about Jesus’ priesthood—every priest is appointed from among men. Jesus, God in flesh, from eternity, became a man in order show us a better way back to God. Then, he had to suffer and die to serve as our High Priest.

As a man, He was subject to all the weaknesses and temptations that we are, so that He could personally relate to us in our struggles. Jesus is greater than any other priest, so He is called our “Great High Priest” in Hebrews 4:14, and that gives us the boldness to come “unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”

Prayer:
Father, thank You, because You sent Your Son to earth to shows a way back to you. I don’t need any other mediator, priest or advocate, I only need Jesus. He is my High Priest who has opened up the Holy of Holies and has given me direct access to You!