Who Is Jesus?
Names and Descriptive Phrases of Jesus - Part 17
By Allan E. McNabb

In this series we’re talking about the names and descriptive phrases identifying Jesus.  Thus far we’ve talked about Jesus as God, Lord, Savior, Christ, Creator, the Word, the Son of God, the life, the Light, the Lamb of God, the Firstborn, the head of the church, our King and high priest, an Author, a Shepherd, and the propitiation for our sins.

In this article, we continue talking about Jesus as our high priest.

Review
Last time, we noticed that Jesus’ priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek, who like Jesus was both king and priest (Heb. 7:1).

Therefore, as Jeremiah prophesies, God would establish another covenant, since one man could not hold both offices under the Mosaic Law (Jer. 31:31-32; Heb. 8:1-13).

Hence, God changed the law, and we live under the law of Christ today (Heb. 7:12-14;1 Cor. 9:21; Gal. 6:2).

Jesus is a Merciful and Faithful High Priest
Jesus is a “merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God” (Heb. 2:17).  To become such a high priest, Jesus had to be made like us in all things (Heb. 2:17).

Therefore, He came to earth in the flesh to make propitiation for our sins, offering the sacrifice that covers and remits our sins.

• “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).
• “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:11-12).

Having been made like us in all things, Jesus was tempted in the things that He suffered, enabling Him to help when we’re tempted.

• “For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Heb. 2:18).

Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest because He made propitiation for our sins, and helps us when we’re tempted.

Jesus is a Great High Priest
Jesus, the Son of God, is a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, and now sits at the right hand of God (Heb. 4:14; 8:1).

• “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God . . .” (Heb. 4:14).
• “Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God” (Heb. 10:11-12).

Since our great high priest, Jesus Christ, is at the right hand of God, we hold fast our confession, confidently drawing near to God’s throne of grace.  This is possible because Jesus was tempted as we are, yet he did not sin.
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.  Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).

Therefore holding fast our confession, confident in God’s grace and Christ’s intercession, we don’t forsake the assembly of the saints.  As a result, we encourage one anther, stimulating one another to love and good deeds.

• “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Heb. 10:23-25).

Jesus Intercedes as our High Priest
Since Jesus continues as high priest forever, He saves forever, making intercession for us as our high priest.

• “But Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.  Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:24-25).

Jesus can make intercession for us because He died, was raised, and is at the right hand of God, as our high priest (Rom. 8:24; Heb. 10:11-12).

Interceding for us, Jesus pleads our case as our Advocate, on the throne of God.

• “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin.  And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world” (1 Jn. 2:1-2).

To be continued.