High Priest Forever

God has spoken clearly and decisively in His Son, the same Word by which God created life and the ages . The  Gospel of John  begins by identifying Jesus as the ‘ Logos ’ (λογος), the “ Word ” through which God made all things. This theme is prominent in John’s Gospel. It builds on traditional ideas from the Hebrew Bible about God creating the world through His spoken Word. Jesus Christ is the Living Expression of that Divine word - (“ By the word of the LORD were the heavens made… ” - Psalm 33:6-9. Compare John 1:1-4).

The national sins of Israel culminated in her expulsion from the Land of Canaan. However, all was not lost. God foresaw her failure and determined to restore the nation by instituting His New Covenant that would include the nations of the Earth, the “ Gentiles .” Moreover, the New Creation would become the ultimate Promised Land and the true inheritance of His people.

The priesthood of Jesus is a key subject in the Letter to the Hebrews . He became the “ merciful and faithful High Priest ” who now intercedes for “ his brethren ” from the presence of God. This subject was anticipated in the Letter’s opening paragraph, including the uniqueness of his priesthood, when the Author declared that he “ achieved the purification of sins ,” and then afterward, he “ sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High .”