CHRIST OUR PRIEST

 

         

Jesus Christ was divinely ordained to be our prophet, priest, and king.  He is the only one in the history of mankind that was so ordained.  He serves in these offices now.  Christ, as our prophet, has said enough; as our priest, he has done enough; as our King, he has power enough.  In a previous article, I discussed Christ as our prophet.  Lord willing, in a future article I shall write about his being our king.

The word “Christ” means the anointed one.  It is derived from a Greek word; “Messiah” is taken from the Hebrew word (Daniel 9:24-27).  In the Old Testament prophets, priests and kings were anointed (1 Kings 19:16; Lev. 8:12; 1 Sam. 10:1).

The word “our” in the title has reference to the church, the household of God.  Christ is high priest over the house of God.  The writer of Hebrews said, “And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near….”  (Heb. 10:21-22.) Earlier in the same book the inspired author wrote, “But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.”  (Heb. 3:6.)  Paul tells us that the house of God is the church.  To Timothy he said, “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”  (I Tim. 3:14-15.)

Christ is high priest.  The writer of Hebrews exhorted, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Heb. 3:1.)  Every child of God is a priest.  Peter said, “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ….  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”  (I Peter 2:5, 9.)

The prophets of old foretold of Christ’s coming as priest.  The Sweet Singer of Israel wrote, “The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.”  (Psa. 110:4.) The book of Hebrews tells of Christ’s being a priest after the order of Melchizedek.  We read, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”  Heb. 7:1-3.)

          Melchizedek was a type of Christ.  He was both priest and king; so is Christ.  Five hundred years before Christ came into the world, the prophet Zechariah wrote, “And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:  Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.”  (Zech. 6:12-13.)

          Paul says that Melchizedek was “Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.”  (Heb. 7:3.)  The meaning is, his parents were unknown, and he had no genealogy.  As far as his priesthood was concerned, he had no predecessor, nor successor.  He came upon the scene.  Melchizedek and his priesthood typified Christ and his priesthood. 

          Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek.  In turn, the latter and greater blessed the former and lesser.  Since Levi was a descendent of Abraham, a great grandson, he was inferior to Melchizedek as well.  Thus, the priesthood of Melchizedek was superior to the Levitical priesthood under the Law of Moses.  Since Christ is a priest after the order of Melchizedek, one should not want to go back to the inferior system, the Law of Moses.  This is part of the reasoning in Hebrews 7.

          Christ also is the antitype of the high priest under the Law of Moses.  Once a year, on the 10th day of the 7th month, the month Tishri, the high priest was to enter into the most holy place with the blood of animals to make atonement for his sins as well as Israel’s sins.  On that day he was to wash and put on the holy linen coat, breeches, girdle, and mitre.  Then, he was to carry the blood of the bullock into the most holy place for himself and his house.  Two goats were selected, one of which was to be used as the scapegoat; the other, was to be slain for the people.  When it was slain, the high priest was to carry its blood into the most holy place and sprinkle it seven times before the mercy seat as he had done with the bullock’s blood.  This he did to make atonement for Israel’s sins.  Then, he would go out lay his hands upon the head of the scapegoat, confess over it all the sins of Israel and would send the goat out into the wilderness.  This was done each year.  Those sacrifices each year reminded Israel of her sins (Heb. 10:1-4.)

          Jesus, however, offered himself once for all (Heb. 9:11-14; 10:9-17).  Christ shed his blood on the cross and fifty-three days later entered into heaven and made atonement for our sins.  Paul wrote, “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”  (Heb. 10:19-22.)  By his death and the offering of his blood before the throne of God, Christ did enough for us.  The blood of animals was insufficient to remit sins (Heb. 10:1-4).

          Though he shed and offered his blood for us, he does more.  He as our priest is touched with the feelings of our infirmities (Heb. 4:14-15).  He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).  He is our mediator (I Tim. 2:5). “Let us, therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Heb. 4:16.)     He ever lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:24-28; Rom. 8:34).

In summary, Jesus was prophesied to be our high priest.  The priesthood of Melchizedek, the Levitical priesthood, sacrifices and institutions all typify the person and work of Christ as priest.  Hebrews identifies our priest as Christ.  His having been crucified for us, he made one sacrifice for us; then he offered his blood once for all (Heb. 9:6-14; 10:1-4).  The book of Hebrews depicts Christ as magnified and glorified on the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 1:1-3; 8:1).