Jesus: Part 3. Jesus the High Priest.

Marilyn C

Marilyn C

The Early Priests of God.


When Adam and Eve sinned, God showed them His way of forgiveness and how to draw near to Him.

`for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. ` (Gen. 3: 21)

The blood sacrifice was God`s way to cover their sin, and Abel their son, knew this too.

`Abel …brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering. ` (Gen. 4: 4)



Thus, people in early times often built an altar where they could sacrifice to God. The head of the family often performed this priestly function.

When Noah and his family came out of the ark, Noah then built an altar.

`Noah built an altar to the Lord ….and offered burnt offerings on the altar. And the Lord smelled a soothing aroma.` (Gen. 8: 20 & 21)



Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob offered sacrifices and drew near to God. An altar of stones was set up where sacrifices could be offered, especially for important events

`And he (Abram) moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel…he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord.` (Gen. 12: 8)



The king of Salem, who was a priest of the Most High, called Melchizedek, met Abram and blessed him.

`Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said :“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,…` (Gen. 14: 18 & 19)



The ultimate sacrifice of Abraham`s son, Isaac, was a great test, but as Abraham said

“ My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” (Gen. 22: 8)



Thus, we can see that priests and priestly activity were known in ancient times as God`s way to cover sin and for the person to be able to draw near to Him. However, this was only a temporary way till God provided Himself as the final sacrifice.

 
The Priests in Israel.


When God made the nation of Israel to reveal His righteous rulership to the other nations, they rebelled against Him. This then necessitated that God show Israel how to come to Him for national forgiveness.

God gave to Moses the detailed plan of a structure, the Tabernacle, that would have within it the means of forgiveness for the people. God then had Moses set up a priesthood in the tribe of Levi, to officiate in the ceremonies of the Tabernacle. The Levites were to assist the main priests who were of the family of Aaron, (Moses` brother).

`The Lord said to Moses…..”You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall attend to their priesthood;…` (Num. 3: 10)



The priests had to wear special garments, be consecrated, learn to attend to the holy things in the tabernacle and administer sacrifices and offerings on the altar. Then the Lord God would meet with the children of Israel and dwell among them.

There were many priests of the Aaronic family, however there was only one High Priest who held office at a time. Aaron, the first High Priest, was called of God, then clothed with special garments, and finally consecrated.



Once a year the High Priest was to go into the holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and meet with God. He was to take the blood of a young bull as a sin offering and sprinkle it on the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant.

In the courtyard of the Tabernacle there was the brazen altar where the sacrifices were made. The High Priest would take the blood from the sacrifice and then enter the first tent, the holy place. Here there was the golden lampstand giving light and the 12 loaves of fresh bread signifying the 12 tribes of Israel.

The High Priest would then go to the golden altar of incense and take some of the incense and burning coals with the blood in a censor. He would then enter behind the veil into the Holy of Holies. Here was the ark of God`s covenant with Israel. It had the 10 commandments inside, the manna, and Aaron`s rod that budded, signifying God`s approval of his priesthood.

Finally, the High Priest would sprinkle the blood and the burning coals before God`s ark, and the incense would rise with the glory cloud of God`s acceptance.

`the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. `(Ex. 40: 34)
 
Jesus the High Priest.


The Tabernacle (& later Temple) were only temporary till the Great High Priest came who took His own blood into the sanctuary of heaven for forgiveness of the whole world. This is God`s own Son, Jesus.

God`s Son was divinely appointed a priest unto God.

`The LORD (Father) has sworn and will not relent, “You (Son) are a priest forever... ` (Ps. 110: 4)



The Priesthood of Jesus is far superior to the Aaronic priesthood.

Jesus` Priesthood was Unique. There were many High priests and priests under the Aaronic Priesthood, all subject to death, but there is only one Great High Priest who ever lives.

Jesus` Priesthood was Universal. While the Aaronic Priesthood was established for a nation, Israel, Jesus` Priesthood is for the whole world.



Jesus` Sacrifice gives Eternal Redemption.

The earthly sanctuary was symbolic of Jesus, His pure life and sacrifice.

`But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats or calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ` (Heb. 9: 11 & 12)



When Jesus Christ was manifest on earth, He humbled Himself even to death on a cross. He was the highly exalted one on high, yet, He because of His great love, He came to be the substitutionary death on man`s behalf.

`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. ` (Heb. 2: 17)



What wonderful news that Jesus Christ`s priesthood ministers His tender mercy and faithfulness upon us who are so undeserved.
 
Jesus, the Heavenly High Priest for His Body.


`…We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected and not man. ` (Heb. 8: 1 & 2)

The apostle John saw a vision of our heavenly High Priest. The details draw upon the imagery of the High Priest in the Temple in the Holy place with the golden lampstand. These represent the Body of Christ down through the ages.

`…I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands one like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to His feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ` (Rev. 1: 12 & 13)

The long garment is as the priest wore, symbolic of holiness, yet Jesus very character is holy without spot. The golden girdle was worn by the High Priest to indicate his high office and authority, but Jesus, the eternal High Priest, ever lives to intercede, giving eternal blessings.



`His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace. ` (Rev. 1 :14 & 15)

The whiteness of His head and hair symbolizes the maturity of His understanding and the perfection of His intellectual knowledge. The eyes are another essential factor for discernment if judgment is to be righteous. Jesus` vision penetrates every realm and sphere and scans the innermost thought of every mind and heart.

The symbolic picture of the feet refer to the uprightness of all Jesus` dealings. He is perfectly just, never misjudges, miscalculates, or misunderstands any case in question. He rewards every worthy achievement and recognizes the sacrificial suffering of His people.



`…His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword… ` (Rev. 1: 15 & 16)

We are shown Jesus` great authority. He speaks to many people on various subjects. He combines His sovereign commands and counsel with His heartfelt comfort as He delivers His messages.

The stars are symbols of His administrative authority, and by His word, the sword of the Spirit, He executes judgment or justification.



Finally, His countenance is like the sun, referring to His unspeakable glory. (Rev. 1: 16)
 
Jesus, the Heavenly High Priest for Israel.


`Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. And He was given much incense, that He should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.` (Rev. 8: 3)

God`s Mediator is now revealed as the High Priest of the heavenly sanctuary for Israel. He is shown in angelic form before the golden altar. This indicates the ceremony of the Day of Atonement for Israel.



The High Priest would take the blood from the outside altar and bring it to the golden altar, mix it with incense and fire. Then he would take it into the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood and fire before the Ark of the Covenant.



This is a pictorial drama of what the Lord has already done and is about to do. He has shed His blood as the sacrifice for the sins of the nation of Israel; He has offered His pure life as a fragrant offering, (incense); and now is about to cast the `blood and fire` to the ground in judgment upon the rebellious.



`Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thundering, lightnings, and an earthquake.` (Rev. 8: 5)



The time for the purification of Israel and judgment upon the Nations has come.

Note the blowing of the trumpets was a priestly activity and thus we see Christ the High Priest administrating this from the heavenly sanctuary. It was only when Christ as the angel threw the fire to the earth that the 7 angels prepared to sound.



It is through Christ, (His sacrifice) that God will forgive and atone for Israel`s rebellion. God made that covenant promise to Israel because they could not fulfil it themselves.

The timing of this is just before the end of the tribulation when the proclamation of the coming Kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of the Lord God and Christ. (Rev. 11: 15 - 19)



Finally, the nation of Israel will be cleansed and forgiven, the Day of Atonement fulfilled.

`In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.....I will say, “This is my people;” and each one will say, “The Lord is my God.” (Zech. 13: 1 & 9)



 
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