Jesus, The Great High Priest

KEY VERSE: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” —Hebrews 4:16

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 4:14 to 5:10

IT IS A special privilege to go to the throne of grace for prayer and communion with God. This is enjoyed by the consecrated Christian, who may do so with full assurance of faith, not doubting that the Heavenly Father will hear him. However, they must have the proper heart condition, and go to him with the desire to do all things in accordance with his holy will.

In this lesson attention is drawn to the typical priesthood which was an important part of the religious order of ancient Israel. The priest was the most important person among the Israelites. His office, the garments which he wore, the sacrifices which he made, and many other functions which he performed, were all typical. Aaron and his sons served in that capacity, and typified our Lord and his faithful followers during the present Gospel Age.

Further, the typical priesthood is compared with that of our Lord. Aaron, as a type, offered sacrifices for his own sins as well as the sins of the people. In the antitype, Christ—being perfect—offered himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the whole human family. Christ is thus set forth as a greater priest than Aaron ever was.

The order of Melchisedec is introduced by the apostle to differentiate between the sacrificing types of the Aaronic priesthood, with that of the grander and more glorious nature of the Melchisedec priesthood. Melchisedec, whose name means ‘King of Righteousness’, was the powerful king of the ancient city of Salem—which means ‘peace’—as well as a priest of the Most High God. This serves to illustrate the power and authority of the office that our Lord will assume in his kingdom.

The prophetic words of the psalmist say, “The Lord [God] said unto my Lord [Son of God], Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps. 110:1,4) This shows the relationship Jesus has with the Father, as well as to confirm his future glory.

The apostle says, “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” (Heb. 4:14) This identifies Jesus as that great High Priest, removing any doubt as to the identity of the one foretold. “Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”—Heb. 6:20

Respecting his earthly sacrifice, Jesus is represented by the High Priest, Aaron. Aaron was never a king, nor was he ever glorified. The picture changes when Christ, who has since been raised to the right hand of God, is no longer represented by the order of Aaron, but after the more glorious order of Melchisedec. Melchisedec was king and priest at the same time, which reflects on the future glory of our Lord in the position of power and authority.

The glorified King and High Priest includes not only our Lord as the chief priest, but also his bride, who faithfully follows him in sacrifice during the present time of the Gospel Age. The members of that bride will be joint-heirs with him in that position of glory, honor and authority in his Millennial kingdom. “They shall be priests of God and of Christ.”—Rev. 20:6

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