Dictionary of Bible Themes: 2306 Jesus Christ, as high priest

2306 Jesus Christ, as high priest

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 2000 Jesus Christ » 2300 Jesus Christ, ministry and work of » 2303 Jesus Christ, as creator » 2306 Jesus Christ, as high priest

Jesus Christ, being a truly human high priest, perfectly represents humanity before God. He made atonement for sins by his own sacrificial death. Being a truly divine high priest, this act of Christ's was perfect, once for all and of eternal value.

The ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest

He made atonement for sin

Hebrews 2:17 See also Hebrews 8:3; Hebrews 9:7,11-12; Hebrews 13:11-13

He represents human beings before God

Hebrews 5:1 See also Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1-2

He entered the Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:24 On the Day of Atonement the high priest entered the Most Holy Place (the sanctuary) which represented the presence of God. Jesus Christ fulfilled this ritual by entering heaven. See also Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 6:19-20; Hebrews 9:7,12

He makes believers perfect

Hebrews 10:14 See also Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 13:12

He brings believers close to God

Hebrews 10:19-22

He helps those being tempted

Hebrews 2:18 See also Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 5:2

He intercedes continually

Hebrews 7:24-25 See also John 17:20; Romans 8:34

Jesus Christ, the human high priest

As a man he is able to represent human beings

Hebrews 2:17 See also Hebrews 5:1

He is divinely appointed

Hebrews 5:5-6 See also Hebrews 3:1-2

Jesus Christ, the divine high priest

He is sinless

Hebrews 7:26-27 Jesus Christ is strongly contrasted with other high priests because he did not have to offer sacrifices for his own sins.

He is eternal

Hebrews 6:20 See also Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17,21,28

His atoning work was completed once for all

Hebrews 7:27 Other high priests had to repeat their sacrifices. See also Hebrews 9:12,25-26,28; Hebrews 10:10

He is exalted

Hebrews 8:1 See also Zechariah 6:13; Hebrews 7:26

Jesus Christ's high priesthood was of the order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 6:20 The priesthood of Melchizedek resembles that of Jesus Christ because he too was king and had neither beginning nor end. See also Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6,10; Hebrews 7:1-4,14-17

Responses to Jesus Christ's high priesthood

Hebrews 4:14-15 a call to keep to the faith; Hebrews 4:16 an invitation to seek God's help in times of need; Hebrews 10:19-22 an invitation to draw near to God; Hebrews 12:1-3 a call to run the race of faith; Hebrews 12:28-29 a call to offer thanksgiving and worship