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 His people. This office finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is described in the New Testament as our Great High Priest. Through His sacrificial work, Christ obtained eternal redemption for humanity, a central tenet of Christian theology.

Old Testament Background

In the Old Testament, the High Priest was appointed to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people and to enter the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for himself and the nation (Leviticus 16). The High Priest wore special garments and was the only one permitted to enter the most sacred space in the tabernacle and later the temple, symbolizing the need for a mediator between a holy God and sinful humanity.

Christ as the Fulfillment

The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the High Priest's role. The Epistle to the Hebrews elaborates on this theme extensively, portraying Christ as the perfect High Priest who surpasses the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews 4:14-16 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. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

The Sacrifice of Christ

Unlike the High Priests of the Old Covenant, who offered the blood of animals, Christ offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice. Hebrews 9:12 declares, "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." This act of self-sacrifice was sufficient to atone for the sins of all who believe, rendering the repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant obsolete.

Mediator of a New Covenant

Christ's priesthood is also associated with the establishment of a New Covenant, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Hebrews 8:6 affirms, "But now Jesus has received a more excellent ministry, just as the covenant He mediates is better and is founded on better promises." Through His death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated this New Covenant, offering believers direct access to God and the promise of eternal life.

Intercession and Advocacy

As our High Priest, Christ continues His work by interceding for believers. Romans 8:34 states, "Who is there to condemn us? For Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God—and He is interceding for us." This ongoing intercession assures believers of their standing before God, as Christ advocates on their behalf.

Conclusion

The High Priesthood of Christ is a profound and central doctrine in Christian theology, emphasizing His unique role in obtaining redemption for humanity. Through His perfect sacrifice and ongoing intercession, believers are assured of their reconciliation with God and the hope of eternal life.Hebrews 9:12
Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Intercession of Christ
... But Christ being come an high priest of good ... and calves, but by his own blood he
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xlvii the intercession of.htm

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

Fifth Sunday in Lent
... 9. According to Leviticus 16, the high priest must once a year enter into the holy
place ... This ceremony typified that Christ, the true Priest, should once ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fifth sunday in lent.htm

Our Inheritance
... But Christ being come an high priest of good ... and calves, but by his own blood he
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
//christianbookshelf.org/byers/sanctification/chapter v our inheritance.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... But Christ being come a High Priest of good ... and calves, but by his own blood he entered
in once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... Thither the faith of Christ's disciples followed Him ... even Jesus, made an high priest
forever." "Neither ... into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... Thither the faith of Christ's disciples followed Him ... even Jesus, made an high priest
forever." "Neither ... into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ
... According to the former of these acts, Christ is called "our saviour by ... king of Salem,
which is king of peace and priest of the Most High God." (Hebrews 7:2 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 14 on the offices.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... the one entrance within the veil by our great High Priest who has obtained eternal
redemption ... flesh: how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm

"And for Sin Condemned Sin in the Flesh. "
... us, that the merit and efficacy of Christ's blood should ... Our High Priest, by his
own blood hath entered into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiii and for sin.htm

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