Focal Passage: Hebrews 7:23-28
My family background is heavily Catholic. In fact, I have three aunts who are nuns and an uncle who is a priest. My grandmother was the only one of her siblings not to enter a convent or a seminary. So, I am well acquainted with the concept of the priesthood. The Catholic priesthood is not that far removed from the priesthood in the Old Testament.
A priest is one who stands between God and the people. He is an intercessor. He is the one who offers sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. And because the priest is a sinner too, he must offer sacrifices for himself as well.
When we read about Jesus in Hebrews 7:23-28, we are told that He is our high priest. But, his is a different sort of priesthood. We learn that because Jesus lives forever (v. 23-24), His priesthood is forever. It is a permanent priesthood because Jesus is permanent. It is not going to change. Unlike the constant change of earthly priests due to age or sickness or death, Jesus will be our high priest forever.
Jesus intercedes for all who come to Him in faith. If you are trusting in Jesus, He is interceding for you today. Jesus is praying for you, today. Even more astounding is that Jesus completely saves those who come to Him; He forgives our past, sustains our present and holds our future.
While earth priests must offer sacrifices daily, we learn (v. 26-28) that Jesus offered Himself once as a sacrifice for the sins of the people. He could do so only because He was perfect and without sin. The writer of Hebrews describes Him as holy, pure and set apart from sinners. Jesus demonstrated both active and passive obedience. He did everything God called Him to do, and He never failed in anything God required.
Indeed, Jesus is our perfect high priest. The question is, “Are you clinging to your own efforts or good works or are you completely relying on what Jesus has done for you?” My prayer is that you are trusting in Christ alone.