Topical Bible: the High Priest Christ: Blesses

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In the Christian tradition, Jesus Christ is recognized as the ultimate High Priest, a role that encompasses intercession, sacrifice, and blessing. The concept of Christ as a High Priest is deeply rooted in the New Testament, where He is depicted as the fulfillment of the Old Testament priesthood, offering a perfect and eternal sacrifice for humanity's sins. One of the significant aspects of His priestly ministry is His role in blessing His followers.

Biblical Foundation

The role of blessing is integral to the priestly function, as seen in the Old Testament. The Aaronic blessing, found in Numbers 6:24-26, is a prime example of how priests were to bless the people of Israel: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace." This blessing encapsulates the desire for divine favor, protection, grace, and peace.

In the New Testament, Jesus, as the High Priest, extends this tradition of blessing. In Luke 24:50-51 , it is recorded that before His ascension, "He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven." This act of blessing signifies His ongoing priestly role and His desire to impart divine favor upon His disciples.

Christ's Blessings in His Ministry

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated His role as a blesser in various ways. He blessed children, as seen in Mark 10:16 : "And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them." This act underscores His love and care for the innocent and vulnerable, highlighting the inclusive nature of His blessings.

Moreover, the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12 are a series of blessings pronounced by Jesus, offering comfort and hope to those who follow His teachings. These blessings are not merely temporal but carry eternal significance, promising the kingdom of heaven, comfort, and divine inheritance to those who embody the values of the kingdom.

Theological Significance

Theologically, Christ's role as the High Priest who blesses is profound. Hebrews 7:24-25 states, "But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." His eternal priesthood ensures that His blessings are not confined to a specific time or place but are available to all believers throughout history.

Christ's blessings are also seen as a means of imparting spiritual gifts and graces necessary for the Christian life. Ephesians 1:3 declares, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms." This passage emphasizes that through Christ, believers receive all the spiritual resources needed to live a life pleasing to God.

Practical Implications

For believers, the understanding of Christ as the High Priest who blesses has practical implications. It encourages a life of gratitude, recognizing that every good gift comes from Him. It also inspires confidence in prayer, knowing that Christ intercedes and blesses His followers continually. Furthermore, it calls Christians to be channels of blessing to others, reflecting the love and grace they have received from their High Priest.

In summary, the High Priesthood of Christ encompasses His role as a blesser, offering divine favor, spiritual gifts, and eternal hope to His followers. His blessings are a testament to His love and the fulfillment of His priestly ministry, providing believers with the assurance of His ongoing presence and intercession.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 6:23-26
Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, On this wise you shall bless the children of Israel, saying to them,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 3:26
To you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

An Advance in the Exhortation.
... His Church because He prays for it and blesses it ... the idea of the Church, over which
Christ is King ... the worshippers have the privilege of the high-priest himself ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ix an advance in.htm

On the Instruction of Catechumens, and their Initiation into ...
... Now this is blessed by the high priest for the remission of ... the unbegotten God, the
Father of Christ, the King ... he comes to the water, and blesses and glorifies ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii on the instruction of.htm

National Privileges
... They longed for a High- priest, who should teach all ... joys as holy things" an ordinance
of Christ's kingdom, which He delights in and blesses with His ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

Introductory Notice to the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
... eulogy with which the old patriarch blesses his beloved ... He speaks of the nativity
of Christ, the meekness ... Gentiles and Israel; as Eternal High Priest and King. ...
/.../introductory notice to the testaments.htm

Christ the End of the Law
... they can only be restored by Jesus Christ, the great High Priest. ... is as broad and
deep and long and high as the ... and looks at the believer in Christ, and sees ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 22 1876/christ the end of the.htm

His Holy Covenant
... judges and condemns, with His love, that saves and blesses. ... us for His work,"the
same work Christ began, and ... every day, because Jesus is a High Priest in the ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter xvii his holy covenant.htm

The Courage of the Saviour
... of armed soldiers; cutting down a servant of the high-priest's. ... he who when he is
cursed, blesses those who ... that man has really put on Christ's likeness, that ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxv the courage of.htm

Christ in the Covenant
... There he stands, the priest offering his bloody sacrifice; see ... loins they have ascended
up on high; with him ... So with the believer: he blesses Christ for all he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ in the covenant.htm

Two Ancient Proverbs
... a little later, warming himself in the high priest's palace, and ... that he was no disciple
of the Lord Jesus Christ. ... in a way in which God blesses it, because if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/two ancient proverbs.htm

The Charge of the Watchers in the Temple
... Perhaps by the High Priest, perhaps by the captain of their ... clear voice has summoned
them to their high duty and ... In the true sense, Jesus Christ is the Temple. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the charge of the watchers.htm