Jesus Our Great High Priest

Recap

Ascension of Christ

Acts 1:3 “He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.”

Background

Hebrews - Author unknown AD 60-69. This book emphasizes the superiority of Christ over the Old Covenant.

Outline: Supremacy of Christ (1-4); The New Covenant (5-10); The Life of Faith (11-13)

Where Did Christ Ascend To

Hebrews 1:1–4 “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Draw Near

Hebrews 4:13–16 “And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Define the High Priest

A High Priest is: (Hebrew: Kohen Gadol) was the chief religious official of the Israelites. He was only one permitted to enter the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle/Temple, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) to make atonement for the people (see Leviticus 16)

Hebrews 7:1–3 “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.”

-Uses Melchizedek as a typological figure

Hebrews 7:23–25 “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

This demonstrates the superiority and eternality of Christ’s priesthood.

What Does This Mean for Us

1 John 2:1–2 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

6432 Jesus Christ reveals, not an embarrassed God, not a confused God, not a God who stands apart from the problems, but one who stands in the thick of the whole thing.

Oswald Chambers (Lecturer and Missionary)