The True High Priest

The Scripture: Hebrews 7: 26-28 NKJV

" For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people's, for this He did once for all when he offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever."

The Priests of the Law

In the set of verses above, we can see that the high priests appointed by law are called "men who have weakness." A line used to compare the priest of the law to the true High Priest, Jesus Christ. Before the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ, high priests were chosen by the "order of Aaron," which required that the high priest be a descendant of Aaron or of the tribe of Levi. The High Priests of this order were also meant to focus on offering sacrifices annually, enforcing the law of Moses, and performing physical rituals required by God for the Jews as they grew into their own nation, the Holy nation chosen by God. However, this way of the law and the offerings were nothing more than symbolic, since neither the law nor the blood of animals was capable of cleansing a man of his sin, as stated in Hebrews 9:9 "It was symbolic for the present time in which gifts and sacrifices are offered, which cannot make him who performed the service perfect in regard to the conscience-" Until the day Jesus died for our sins, God made a way for the people to be temporaily forgivrn throught the offerings, because the price of sin was death and in place of sacrificing humans stained with sin, God gave them animals, free of blemish, to symbolically take on their sins and die, so that they may be cleasned.

The True High Priest

Thankfully, we no longer live by the way of the law, because by the blood of Jesus, we have been washed clean. By the power of God, we have been given a new chance, a new covenant paid for by the blood of Jesus, who was and remains "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and higher than the heavens." Since the ascension of Christ, we have had a high priest at the right hand of God, making petition on our behalf that we may be forgiven of sins, washed clean, and able to join Him in heaven. Jesus has taken the place of all the high priests of the past and has given us the opportunity to live with Him in the new paradise to come, if we accept. With Jesus as our new high priest, we no longer live by the way of the law; we live by faith, strengthened and given hope for a new day when we no longer have to offer atonement for our sins. For it says, in Hebrews 10:9-10," then He said, 'Behold, I have come to do your will, O God.' He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."

Encouragement

We have been forgiven, and through our high priest, we no longer have to offer sacrifices to God. However, I encourage you, do not let this be an excuse to continue on sinning. This gift of redemption is not for those who trample on the name and grace of God, but for those who accept it in faith, seeking to be made right with God, as made clear in Hebrews 10:26-31. We have been granted a new opportunity to grow in relation to God, and through this gift, we are made new and separated from sin. So, be reassured, for you have a high priest seeking petition on your behalf.