The Book of Hebrews refers to Jesus as our high priest multiple times. Hebrews also compares Jesus to Melchizedek, the first priest mentioned in Genesis.
These references lead us to wonder, “How is Jesus our high priest?” “What is a high priest in the Bible?” and “Who was Melchizedek?”
In the Bible, a priest served as a mediator between God and people. Christians believe that because Jesus is our high priest, we can boldly approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Since Jesus was fully human and tempted in every way but did not sin, he could serve as our high priest and make atonement for humanity’s sins.
For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted (Hebrews 2:17).
The writer of Hebrews showed how Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the sacrificial system in the Mosaic law once and for all (Hebrews 7:27).
Jesus not only fulfilled Mosaic law, but like Melchizedek, but he is a priest for all people, not just descendants of Israel. Jesus’ sacrifice established a new covenant for eternity so that no other sacrifices are needed.
What Is a High Priest?
Under Mosaic Law, the Tribe of Levi was set apart to be priests and dedicated to serving God (Exodus 23:26-29). Priests were responsible for mediating between sinful people and their Holy God by offering sacrifices.
The high priest performed many of the same duties as the other priests; however, the high priest had additional responsibilities that required greater holiness. Only the high priest was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies, the most holy place in both the Tabernacle and the Temple.
The high priest was held to a higher standard of behavior, which restricted him from mourning family members and limited who he could marry (Leviticus 21:10-15). If he sinned, his behavior brought guilt on all the people (Leviticus 4:3). The high priest also interceded for all the people’s sins on the Day of Atonement.
On the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to make multiple sacrifices to cover his sins and all the people’s sins (Leviticus16). First, the priest sacrificed a bull for his sins.
After receiving forgiveness for his sins, he sacrificed two goats to intercede for the people’s sins. The blood of the first goat was for a sin offering. The second goat was the scapegoat; the people’s transgressions were placed on a live goat through confession and then removed from the camp.
How Is Jesus Our High Priest?
Jesus is our high priest because he made atonement for our sins (Hebrews 2:17). Just as the blood of the sin offering and the sacrificial scapegoat removed the sins from the community on the Day of Atonement, our high priest, Jesus, removes our sins through his blood.
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Jesus is eternal and seated at the right hand of God in heaven, so his sacrifice and forgiveness of sin are also eternal. Since our sins are forgiven for all time, no additional sacrifice for sin is necessary (Hebrews 10:12).
Under the old covenant, the priest offered the same sacrifices day after day, but Jesus’ one sacrifice was sufficient for all time. “For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14).
Jesus’ sacrifice established the new covenant (prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33-34) written on believers’ hearts.
“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time”, says the Lord. “I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.” Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary (Hebrews 10:16-18).
Jesus established a new superior covenant with his blood (Hebrews 8:6). When Christians take communion, they remember the new covenant secured for believers by Christ’s blood and sacrifice (1 Corinthians 11:25).
He explained to his disciples during his last supper before being crucified, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28).
Who Was Melchizedek?
Hebrews compares Jesus to Melchizedek, a priest of the God Most High. The first occurrence of the term “priest” in the Old Testament is in reference to the pre-Israelite Melchizedek king of Salem priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:18), to whom Abram paid a tithe. The Book of Hebrews further explains the significance of Abraham’s gift of a tithe to this priest who was also a “king of righteousness.”
This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness;” then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever (Hebrews 7:1-3).
Melchizedek is also mentioned in Psalm 110:4, referring to King David as “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” This connection is significant because King David and Jesus are descendants of the royal tribe Judah and not descendants of Aaron and the priestly tribe of Levi.
Though King David didn’t live forever, Jesus’ reign is for all eternity. He is the one with the indestructible life, a priest forever.
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood — and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood — why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 7:11-17).
Under the Mosaic covenant, the death of a high priest signified the end of an epoch. (Numbers 35:28) Jesus’ reign has no end, and he has a permanent priesthood. He sacrificed once and for all on the cross.
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself (Hebrews 7:23-27).
Why Do We Need Jesus to be Our High Priest?
People make mistakes, hurt their loved ones, and disobey God. One day we will face judgment for our intentional and unintentional sins.
God’s standard for good behavior isn’t how we compare to others, but how we compare to Christ who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.
None of us come close to his perfection. We need a high priest to serve as our mediator to offer a sacrifice on our behalf, as Hebrews 9:22 explains, “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sins (1 John 1:7). If we accept Christ as our high priest and authority in our life, his blood will take away our sins and save us.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him (Hebrews 9:27-28).
For further reading:
What Does it Mean That Jesus Is Prophet, Priest, and King?
What Is the Purpose of Jesus Interceding for Us in Heaven?
What Is a Covenant? Bible Definition and Importance Today
5 Things Christians Should Know about the Day of Atonement
What Does it Mean That Jesus Is the Son of David?
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/mofles
Penny Noyes, M.Ed. is the author of Embracing Change - Learning to Trust God from the Women of the Bible and two books about Hezekiah. You can follow Penny on her blog and on Instagram @pennynoyes.
