High Priest Forever

Jesus qualified to become our High Priest forever by participating fully in our human nature and weaknesses, including death . The priesthood of Jesus is pivotal to the Letter to the Hebrews . Through suffering and death, he became the “ merciful and faithful High Priest ” who now intercedes for “ his brethren .” 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 “ sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on High .”

Foundational to the Letter to the Hebrews is the appointment of Jesus as our High Priest. This was due especially to his obedience “ unto death ” whereby he achieved the “ purification of sins .” In his sufferings, he was “ perfected .” God vindicated his sacrifice by resurrecting and  seating him at the “ right hand of the Majesty on High ” where he now intercedes for us.

Having established his priestly qualifications, Hebrews  presents Jesus as the High Priest who intercedes faithfully and sympathetically for his people. He participated fully in the nature and sufferings common to all men, therefore, his priestly intercession for his “ brethren ” is characterized by compassion for them. The “ Son ” experienced the same death that is common to all men, and in doing so, he qualified for the priesthood “ after the order of Melchizedek ” even though he was not a member of the Tribe of Levi. What set him apart from other men was his sinlessness.

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 .”