In the Bible book of Hebrews, we see Jesus as our Great High Priest. We will discover why Jesus is superior to the Aaronic priesthood who functioned under the Old Covenant. His sacrifice and death on the cross provided atonement for sin once for all; for all mankind and for all time (Hebrews 10:10). His sacrifice didn’t have to be repeated daily and annually as under the Old Testament law (Hebrews 10:1-18). It wasn’t possible for the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). He did not need to daily offer up sacrifices as the previous high priests, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, because He did this once for all when He offered up Himself (Hebrews 7:27). If the first covenant had been faultless, then no place would’ve been sought for a second (Hebrews 8:7). In that God says “a New Covenant,” He made the first obsolete (Hebrews 8:7).
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? Hebrews 7:11 (NKJV)
But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the most holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason, He is the Mediator of the new covenant by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. Hebrews 9:11 – 15 (NKJV)
And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. Hebrews 9:22 (NKJV)
In order for Christ to be the Mediator of the new covenant (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24), He had to come like us as flesh and blood so that through His death He might destroy the devil who had the power of death over us and held us in bondage to the fear of death all our lifetime (Hebrews 2:14, 15). Therefore, He had to be made like us so that He would be in all things a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God to make atonement for our sins and to reconcile us to God (Hebrews 2:14-17). He was sinless and therefore was a perfect sacrifice that fulfilled the law. Because He was tempted and suffered, He is able to help us who are tempted (Hebrews 2:18).
Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14 – 16 (NKJV)
Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:19 – 23 (NKJV)
Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest but God the Father has said that He is His Son and a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:5, 6). Jesus was faithful to Him who appointed Him, even as Moses was also faithful in all His house (Hebrews 3:2). Christ, as a Son was over His own house (Hebrews 3:6) and He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from his slaughter of the kings and blessed him. Abraham also gave him one tenth part of all. Melchizedek translates “king of righteousness,” and “king of peace.” He was without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end-of-life, but made like the Son of God, a priest continually (Hebrews 7:1-3).
Have you ever had questions about tithing? i.e. Was it just under the Old Testament law? Does Jesus speak of it in the New Testament? What does the New Testament say about tithing? If you need some answers, you can refer back to my previous blog “Jesus Our Provider – part 2,” where I discuss tithing and stewardship (https://alexiscarucci.com/2019/09/09/jesus-our-provider-part-two/). But for the purposes of our discussion in this blog, “Jesus Our High Priest,” we can see in Hebrews chapter 7 that Christ receives tithes because He lives as His priesthood is forever according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:17). I recommend that you read Hebrews chapters 7-8.
Here mortal men received tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Hebrews 7:22 (NKJV)
After Jesus had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, He sat down at the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12). Our acceptance before God is found in the sufficiency of the cross. He represents us to the Father (1 John 2:1), His blood speaks for us (Hebrews 12:24) and He stands up for us against the accuser of the brethren, Satan (Revelation 12:10, 11). What a Savior and High Priest! Next, we will look at how our Hight Priest intercedes for us.
Living the Abundant Life 