JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST
The Book of Hebrews lifts our eyes to the greatness of Jesus Christ in a way no other book does. From beginning to end, its steady refrain is simple and glorious—Jesus is better. Better than angels, better than Moses, better than the old covenant, better than the sacrifices offered day after day. He is the One. He is the Way. He is what everything is about. And among its many treasures, nothing shines brighter than the doctrine of Christ as our High Priest.
Under the old covenant, the people approached God through a system of earthly priests—men who were themselves sinners, offering repeated sacrifices in a physical sanctuary. They had to atone for their own sins before they could even represent the people. Their ministry was necessary but never complete.
Jesus is nothing like them. He had no sins of His own to confess. He is perfect, holy, and undefiled. Instead of offering the blood of animals, He offered Himself. Instead of entering a tent made with hands, He entered the true and heavenly sanctuary. And while the Levitical priests stood daily to offer sacrifices that could never fully remove sin, Jesus offered one sacrifice—once, for all—and sat down. His atonement is finished, full, and eternal (Hebrews 9:11–12, 14, 24, 26).
His priesthood is eternal because He is eternal. Scripture declares that He is a priest “forever” after the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 7:17). That means His covenant is better, His work permanent, His salvation unshakable (Hebrews 7:11–12, 22, 24). What the old covenant hinted at, He accomplished completely (Hebrews 10:10–14).
But we must never forget the humanity of our High Priest. He could not offer Himself for us unless He first lived perfectly among us. Hebrews tells us He became flesh and blood—He was “made like His brothers and sisters”—so that He could redeem us, sympathize with us, and help us in our weakness (Hebrews 2:17). He was tempted in every way that we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). That means His compassion is not theoretical; it is experiential. He knows what it feels like to be human (Hebrews 2:18; 5:2).
He knew frustration. He knew grief. He knew betrayal, exhaustion, hunger, loneliness, and sorrow. Whatever burdens you carry today, your High Priest understands them from the inside. He has walked this earth, lived this life, and felt these pains. And now He sits at the right hand of God, representing you with a perfect salvation and a perfect understanding of your need.
There is no greater encouragement than knowing Jesus is your High Priest. Because of Him, you receive grace instead of judgment and hope instead of fear. Because of Him, you look toward heaven as your home. Because of Him, you do not need an earthly priest—He Himself is your access to the Father (Hebrews 4:16; 10:19–22). You can draw near with full assurance, knowing you are welcomed, heard, and loved.
Even in trials, you can hold fast to your confession because your High Priest holds fast to you (Hebrews 4:14). He intercedes for you at this very moment (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34). You may not understand everything about His intercession, but you can rest in the truth that it is real, powerful, and good. You have an Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ the righteous (1 John 2:1–2).
The truth that Jesus is your High Priest is reason enough to rejoice. He has done for you what you could never do for yourself. He saves you, stays with you, stands for you, and remains on your side forever. There are no words adequate to describe His majesty, but the more you learn of Him, the more your love and gratitude will grow.
Study Him. Trust Him. Draw near to Him. Christ our High Priest is your hope, your confidence, and your everlasting joy.
Bryan Dewayne Dunaway
