A High Priest Forever

Hebrews 4:14 

"Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."


The Old Testament sacrificial laws are invalid now. They have been fulfilled by Christ’s death—an ultimate sacrifice to God (1 Corinthians 5:7). This means that Jesus now stands as our High Priest and intercedes before us, as the priests did in the Old Testament. But what does this actually mean for us? What did He do for us, and how should we respond?

Christ’s whole life on earth was a sacrifice. He served others, offering healing, preaching, liberation, empathy and resurrection. He prayed heartily for His disciples and His followers, which gained much (James 5:16). However, these actions could not save them from a terrible death. And so He offered to God the greatest sacrifice: His life as an offering for our sins. On the cross He cried out, “It is finished”, signalling the end of His priestly duties on earth. But they continue forever in heaven.

His resurrection is proof that His sacrifice was accepted. His ascension was the beginning of His second phase of His priestly work: His intercession before the Father. He will continue His work in the Most Holy Place until His second coming (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 9:24).

The benefits we receive from Christ’s priestly work are many and great. Obviously we are now forgiven from all our sins. They are covered by the blood of Christ, so that we obtain redemption (Hebrews 9:12). So we have forgiveness.

We also have refuge. God has pronounced the outpouring of his wrath on all sin and unrighteousness. “If you do not obey Me, but walk contrary to Me, then I also will walk contrary to you in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins” (Leviticus 26:27-28). But Christ has given us refuge by His sacrifice, obtaining for us a haven from God’s wrath, and delivering us into His favour.

We also have rest. God has promised that all those who do not believe shall not enter His rest (Psalm 95:11; Hebrews 4:3). But Jesus has opened the way to this rest, so that like the Israelites, we may dwell in peace and satisfaction and joy—which sin will not extinguish, nor death destroy.

So how do we respond? First, we must accept him as our High Priest and obey Him as our King, for “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). Let us also have confidence to approach God—not with anxious terror, but rather with reverent fear (Hebrews 10:22). We can be confident that Christ intercedes for us, and thus our Father will not turn away from us or despise us.

Let us also present ourselves as priests to God. We must offer our lives as sacrifice to Him and “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Are you willing to be poured out as a drink offering for the service of those who are in the Lord (Philippians 2:17)? This may require suffering. But ultimately it will not be comparable to the suffering that Christ experienced as our High Priest (1 Peter 2:21).

“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).