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. Aaron, the brother of Moses, was the first high priest, and his descendants, the Levitical priests, continued this sacred office. However, the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, whose priesthood surpasses that of Aaron and the Levitical order in several profound ways.

Divine Appointment and Eternal Priesthood

The book of Hebrews articulates the superiority of Christ's priesthood, emphasizing His divine appointment by God Himself. Hebrews 5:5-6 states, "So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But He was called by the One who said to Him: 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.' And in another passage God says: 'You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.'" Unlike the Levitical priests, whose service was temporary and hereditary, Christ's priesthood is eternal and based on the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood that predates and transcends the Levitical order.

Perfect Sacrifice and Mediator

The Levitical priests offered sacrifices repeatedly for their own sins and the sins of the people. In contrast, Christ, as the sinless High Priest, offered Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice. Hebrews 7:27 declares, "Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself." This singular, perfect sacrifice effectively atones for sin, rendering the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical system obsolete.

Heavenly Sanctuary

While the Levitical priests served in an earthly tabernacle, Christ ministers in the true heavenly sanctuary. Hebrews 9:11-12 explains, "But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He entered the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands, that is, not of this creation. 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 heavenly ministry underscores the superiority of Christ's priesthood, as He intercedes directly in the presence of God.

Sympathetic and Compassionate

Despite His divine nature, Christ is a High Priest who fully understands human weakness. Hebrews 4:15 assures believers, "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." This empathy makes Christ a compassionate mediator, able to offer grace and mercy to those who approach Him.

Access to God

Through Christ's priesthood, believers have direct access to God, a privilege not afforded under the Levitical system. 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." This access signifies a new covenant relationship, where the barriers between God and humanity are removed through Christ's atoning work.

In summary, the New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the ultimate High Priest, whose priesthood is superior to that of Aaron and the Levitical priests in its divine appointment, eternal nature, perfect sacrifice, heavenly ministry, empathetic understanding, and provision of direct access to God.Hebrews 7:11,16,22
If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 8:1,2,6
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Epistle to the Hebrews
... B. The high-priesthood of Christ, superior to that of ... to the doctrine of Christ's
high priesthood (iv.14 ... b. The characteristics of a high priest, human sympathy ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xviii the epistle to.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... are all eclipsed and lost in a superior light ... place, self-evident truth; but the
great high priest perfected for ... Christ has by his death perfected all who were ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Scriptural Types.
... He united with his priesthood the kingly office; was superior in dignity to Abraham ...
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Hebrews vii. 14-Nov
... priesthoods, the difference; how much superior He is ... he proves from [its being] Christ
who exercises ... hints the same thing; the High Priest maketh intercession. ...
/.../homily xiii hebrews vii 14-nov.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... faith which entitles a sinner to so high a privilege as that of justification, must
needs be such as complieth with all the purposes of Christ's coming into ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... compare that utmost perfection of human art, aided from heaven, with the infinitely
superior temple in ... Let none but Christ be the high-priest and sacrifice ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded.
... [1218] For Melchisedec was a high priest of the ... the resurrection it has become immortal
and superior to corruption ... but belongs to our Lord Jesus Christ Who is ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/dialogue ii the unconfounded.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... enabled persons of genius and a high religious tone ... hundred and seventy-five years
before Christ does not ... his seventh year, by Jehoiada the priest, is narrated ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... as were ascending and hurling from on high such as ... and of Eleazar the son of Aaron
the priest, exactly opposite ... 2931] and "we are fools for Christ's sake" [2932 ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

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