Jesus our High Priest

ByRobert C. Archer

In Heb. 1:1-3, we see Jesus’ work

“…Spoken to us by His Son” He is Prophet!

“…Purged our sins” He is High Priest!

“…Sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high” He is King

O.T. High Priest’s Qualifications

Taken from men Hebrews 5:1 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.

O.T. High Priest’s Qualifications

Appointed by God Hebrews 5:4 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

O.T. High Priest’s Qualifications

Compassionate Hebrews 5:2 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

O.T. High Priest’s Qualifications

Of the right order Hebrews 7:11-14 11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

O.T. High Priest’s Work

High Priest’s work on the Day of Atonement (Heb. 9:7-10; Lev. 16)

Once a year he would go into the Most Holy Place to offer sacrifice for sinIn preparation

Bath and put on clean clothesAnd take two goats; cast lots, one for a sin offering and the other to be led into the wilderness as a scapegoat. Offer a bull as a sin offering for himself

Take a censer full of burning coals from the altarFill his hand with incense and bring it inside the veil.Put the incense on the fire so that smoke fills the roomTake some of the blood from the bull and sprinkle it on the mercy seat seven times.Kill the goat of the sin offering and do the same with the bloodPut his hands on the other goat and send it out into the wilderness.Then remove his clothes and offer yet more sacrifices.

Flaws

High Priest was a sinner Leviticus 16:6 6 "Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house.

Flaws

Subject to death Hebrews 7:23 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.

Flaws

Sacrifice must be repeated year after year

Hebrews 10:1-3 1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year.

Flaws

Couldn’t cleanse the conscienceHebrews 9:9-10 9 It was symbolic for the present time in which both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience--

10 concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly ordinances imposed until the time of reformation.

Jesus’ qualifications in contrast

Sinless Hebrews 4:15 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus’ qualifications in contrast

High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedeck (Heb. 6:20 – 7:10)Offered only one sacrifice

Hebrews 9:12 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

Jesus’ qualifications in contrast

His sacrifice could cleanse the conscience

Hebrews 9:14 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

Why The Sacrifice?

To bring forgivenessHebrews 10:1-4 1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.