Our Great High Priest

Why is it important that Jesus Christ is our high priest? What does that mean practically for the Christian? Find out in this important teaching.

Teaching Notes:

Intro: Read. Pray.

Therefore: what is apostle referring back to? 2:17 – 3:1. Means 3:7 – 4:13 (God’s Rest) is a parenthesis in apostle’s thought. Now that has dealt with God’s Rest, gets back to main idea. Jesus is superior to angels (Chs. 1-2); to Moses (3:1-6); Joshua (4:8); now to Aaron & Levitical Priesthood. No high priest in OT was ever called great. Why is Christ superior?

1. He is Human and Divine: “Jesus the Son of God”. Jesus was name given at birth & linked w/ His humanity. Mt.1:20-21. Son of God was divine title. Rom.1:3-4. Why important? Cuz priest was mediator. His task to bring sinful men into presence of holy God. Had to be able to identify with both God and man. Men locked in sin; God locked in holiness. Who can mediate between them? Only One who is both God and man in 1 person. That’s why no human or angel could ever be our mediator. 1Tim.2:5. Catholics refer to communion as “The Sacrifice of the Mass”. In 1560 Council of Trent: (Sess. XXII, can. iii): “If any one saith, that the Mass is only a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. . . but not a propitiatory sacrifice; or, that it profits only the recipient, and that it ought not to be offered for the living and the dead for sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities; let him be anathema” Denzinger, n. 950). Catholics believe Mass is a “figure and renewal of the sacrifice of the cross.” Because they view Mass as an atoning sacrifice, have to have a priest to offer it. Heb.10:11-14. There is no need for any human priests. Christ, alone, is God’s High Priest!

2. He Has Passed Through The Heavens: OT high priest took blood & passed through 3 areas on Day of Atonement: into outer court, holy place, and holy of holies. Jesus passed through 3 areas: atmospheric heaven, starry heaven, immediate presence of God. OT high priest had to atone for own sins, then go back and offer sacrifice for the people. Had to get in there, do job, and get out. If stayed past Day of Atonement would die, cuz was sinner and had no right in presence of God. When Jesus passed through heavens, God didn’t say, “Look, You’ve got 24 hours to get this over and get out!” When got there He sat down. It was done. Made perfect atonement for all sins for all time. There was no chair in Holy of Holies, except ark of covenant, and didn’t sit on that! Why? Cuz work never done.

3. He Sympathizes With Us In Our Weaknesses: how? Tempted in all things as we are. No one can truly sympathize with someone else unless has been through a similar experience. Jesus tempted like us: to lie, lust, steal, covet, take revenge, pout, gloat over accusers when couldn’t answer his questions. Some think was nothing for Jesus to be tempted cuz He was God. But remember sweat as it were great drops of blood. Was harder! We give in to temptation before really gets painful. He didn’t! He took everything Hell could throw at him, and never gave in. Took it in its extremity as a Man. Not only knows what you go through, has gone through things you’ll never get to. Are agonies of temptation Jesus knows, you’ll never know. Means He understands. He relates. He sympathizes. When we come to Him, He doesn’t condemn, He imparts grace!

4. He Never Sinned: though tempted in all things, never sinned. Perfect holy. “God made Him who knew no sin…” Why important? Cuz if had sinned, couldn’t be our perfect high priest. High Priest was to offer sacrifice to atone for sins. But if was sinner, his sacrifice would only pay penalty of own sins, not ours. Christ had to be perfect to offer atonement for us! 1Pet.1:22; 3:18; 1Jn.3:5. He was the spotless, pure, holy Lamb of God!

5. He Transformed the Throne of Judgment to a Throne of Grace: we are sinners – God is holy. When sinner approaches God’s holy throne it is a throne of judgment. Here called throne of grace. How? If High Priest were to approach mercy seat any other day than Day of Atonement, or if did not sprinkle blood on it, would receive judgment. But when sprinkled blood transformed into throne of mercy & grace. Christ has shed His blood, ascended into heaven, and presented His sacrifice to God. Now God’s throne is throne of grace to all who approach it through blood and righteousness of Christ. If approach it any other way still throne of judgment. Christ’s sacrifice has appeased God’s wrath. Rom.8:1, 31. Christ has borne all of God’s wrath. None left for you. Has absorbed all the bullets of enemy; arrows. None left for us. All left for you is grace, mercy, love!!

Application:

1. Let us Hold Fast Our Confession: who is he addressing? Jewish believers facing persecution tempted to go back to Judaism. Had made confession that Jesus is Lord. Made intellectual assent to Gospel. Had been put out of synagogue, disowned by family, thinking of turning around and going back. Don’t do it! Don’t turn back on Christ! When persecution hits, don’t let go of your confession! Stand your ground! Things will get hard – don’t turn back!

2. Let us Draw Near With Confidence: 2 part call. Don’t go back – describes someone coming all way up to point of salvation and then turning back. Don’t go back, but don’t just stand there either. Come all way to throne of grace, all way up to Christ. Hold fast and come on!

A. Receive Mercy: when? When tempted and fall (15). Need constant forgiveness. How do we get it. Go to throne of grace. Prayer. Confess and ask for forgiveness. When you sin, how long does it take you to go to throne of grace? Need to go immediately.

B. Find Grace to Help in Time of Need: what is the time of need? When tempted to sin. How know? 2:18 parallel. In midst of temptation to go back cuz of persecution, lie, curse, lust, lose temper, impatience, grumble, discontentment, jealousy, pride, draw near! Ask for help! If know you will face temptation later in the day, start day by drawing near! Instead of relying on own resources, rely on His.