Topical Bible: the High Priest Christ: His Sacrifice Superior to all Others

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The role of the high priest in the Old Testament was central to the religious life of Israel, serving as the mediator between God and His people. The high priest was responsible for offering sacrifices to atone for the sins of the nation, particularly on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). However, these sacrifices were temporary and needed to be repeated annually. In contrast, the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, whose sacrifice is superior to all others, fulfilling and surpassing the Old Testament sacrificial system.

The Role of the High Priest

In the Old Testament, the high priest was appointed to enter the Holy of Holies once a year to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16). This role was hereditary, passed down through the line of Aaron, and was a critical component of the Mosaic Law. The high priest wore special garments and performed rituals that symbolized purification and atonement.

Christ as the High Priest

The New Testament book of Hebrews extensively discusses Jesus as the High Priest, emphasizing His unique qualifications and the superiority of His priesthood. Hebrews 4:14-15 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. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Unlike the Levitical priests, Jesus was sinless, making Him the perfect mediator. His priesthood is according to the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that is eternal and not based on ancestry (Hebrews 7:17).

The Superiority of Christ's Sacrifice

The sacrifices offered by the Old Testament high priests were insufficient to fully cleanse the conscience of the worshipers. They were a shadow of the good things to come, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. Hebrews 10:4 declares, "It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins."

Christ's sacrifice is superior because it was once for all, perfect, and complete. Hebrews 9:12 affirms, "He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption." His sacrifice was voluntary, motivated by love, and it effectively dealt with sin, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled with God.

The New Covenant

Through His sacrifice, Jesus inaugurated a new covenant, rendering the old covenant obsolete. Hebrews 8:6 states, "But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises." This new covenant offers believers direct access to God, forgiveness of sins, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Intercession and Advocacy

As the High Priest, Christ continues His ministry by interceding for believers. Hebrews 7:25 assures, "Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them." His ongoing intercession ensures that believers are continually upheld before the Father.

In summary, Jesus Christ, as the High Priest, offers a sacrifice that is superior to all others. His once-for-all sacrifice, perfect priesthood, and ongoing intercession provide believers with a secure and eternal relationship with God, fulfilling the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 9:13,14,23
For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... Himself in His sacred manhood in heaven. ... The tabernacle was only a temporary parable;
Christ acts as High Priest in the holy of holies, the actual ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xviii the epistle to.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... person"this unique and solitary high-priest, accomplishes what ... ever: there is no
other atoning priest, no other ... to notice the results of Christ's one offering ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

The Wounds of Jesus
... I am not an high priest that cannot be touched with the ... may you be helped to believe
in his wounds! They cannot fail; Christ's wounds must heal those that put ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the wounds of jesus.htm

Scriptural Types.
... not himself to be made a high priest; but he that ... in his own right, and be his own
priest. ... of dissimilarity between the Levitical priests and Christ, as stated ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Christ is All
... is that. Thou wantest a high Priest to present with his own sacrifice
thy prayers and praises; Christ is that. Thou wantest ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/christ is all.htm

Hebrews vi. 13-16
... great as the difference is between Aaron and Christ, so great ... we have our victim
[2916] on high, our priest on high, our sacrifice [2917] on high: let us ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xi hebrews vi 13-16.htm

First Sunday after Epiphany
... of God and co-heirs with Christ the Most High Priest. ... Men universally consider the
title of priest glorious and ... in faith all have the same possession"Christ. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/first sunday after epiphany.htm

Swooning and Reviving Christ's Feet.
... When Joshua, the high priest, clothed in filthy garments, stood ... the angel, Satan
stood at his right hand ... rebuke thee." Ah, brethren, when Christ's right hand ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/swooning and reviving christs feet.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... was a son of God, why then did the high priest accuse Him ... say all this without having
any consciousness of His unique relationship ... B. THE WORK OF JESUS CHRIST. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

Out of St. Luke's Fifth ChapterAre Found Proofs of Christ's ...
... For you have confessed that, in his goodness, he ... [3744] [ie, the Great High Priest
whose sacrifice ... Matthew, which contains Christ's profession of honouring the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter ix out of st lukes.htm