The role of the High Priest in the Old Testament was a vital component of the religious life of Israel, serving as the mediator between God and the people. This role finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as the Great High Priest who has entered into heaven on behalf of humanity.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of Jesus as the High Priest is primarily expounded in the Book of Hebrews. Hebrews 4:14 states, "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we profess." This passage highlights the ascension of Christ, emphasizing His divine nature and His role as the mediator who has entered the heavenly realm.

The Heavenly Sanctuary

Unlike the earthly high priests who ministered in the tabernacle or temple, Jesus ministers in the true tabernacle in heaven. Hebrews 8:1-2 explains, "The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who ministers in the sanctuary and true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." This underscores the superiority of Christ's priesthood, as He serves in the very presence of God.

Once for All Sacrifice

The earthly high priests were required to offer sacrifices repeatedly for their own sins and the sins of the people. In contrast, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. Hebrews 9:24-26 states, "For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God. Nor did He enter heaven to offer Himself again and again, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise, Christ would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself."

Intercession and Advocacy

As the High Priest in heaven, Jesus continues His work of intercession for believers. Hebrews 7:25 affirms, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." This ongoing intercession assures believers of their access to God and the efficacy of Christ's atoning work.

Access to God

Through Christ's priestly ministry, believers have direct access to God. Hebrews 10:19-22 encourages, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."

Conclusion

The entry of Christ into heaven as the High Priest marks the culmination of His redemptive work and the assurance of His ongoing intercession. His priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood, offering a once-for-all sacrifice and providing believers with direct access to God. Through His heavenly ministry, Jesus fulfills the ultimate role of the High Priest, mediating the New Covenant and securing eternal redemption for His people.Hebrews 4:14
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 10:12
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether the Priesthood of Christ Endures for Ever?
... was foreshadowed in this, that the high-priest of the Old ... In like manner Christ entered
into the Holy of Holies"-that is, into heaven"-and prepared the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the priesthood of christ.htm

Whether Christ's Ascension is the Cause of Our Salvation?
... the way for our ascent into heaven, according to ... Secondly, because as the high-priest
under the Old ... God for the people, so also Christ entered heaven "to make ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs ascension is the.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... to the Law.[64] But Christ is not entered into the holy ... us.[65] The Apostle has said
that Christ is Son ... He is also High-priest over the house of God, having ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

Whether Christ Opened the Gate of Heaven to us by his Passion?
... is precisely what the Apostle says (Heb.9:11,12): "Christ being come a high-priest
of the ... by His own blood entered once into the Holies, having obtained ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ opened the gate.htm

Moreover, the Sophists are Guilty of the Merest Trifling when they ...
... a principal member, yet because he was a member of the body of Christ, and knew
that the most true and High Priest of the Church had entered not by ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 20 moreover the sophists.htm

The Intercession of Christ
... But Christ being come an high priest of good ... Thus Jesus is passed into the heavens,
entered into the holy ... He saw Joshua the high priest, who, in that character ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm

The Never Changing One.
... honor (ii:9). Now a summary of the things of which we are speaking is: We have such
a one high priest who has ... For the Christ is not entered into holy places ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the never changing one.htm

The Work of Christ.
... in the ninth chapter, "For Christ is not entered into the holy ... The unsaved who are
not yet Christ's have no ... The High Priest in His garments of Beauty and Glory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the work of christ/ii the work of christ.htm

Christ's Priestly Office
... Christus est catholicos Patris Sacerdos [Christ is the universal Priest of the ... For
such an high priest became us, who is holy, undefiled, separated from ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/4 christs priestly office.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... work as our high priest. Says Paul, "Christ is not entered into the holy places
made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What does it mean to be crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20)? | GotQuestions.org

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What does it mean "to live is Christ" (Philippians 1:21)? | GotQuestions.org

Christ: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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