I. The writer of the book of Hebrews uses the office of the High Priest to explain a part of the ministry of Jesus
II. The picture “High Priest” comes from the Jewish Temple which had two important sections:
1. The Holy place, where men assembled at the time of worship
2. The holy of holies, which is separated by a curtain that restricted entry for any common person
3. Through the mediation of the High Priest, God would meet with the people in the holy of holies
4. The person and ministry of the High Priest enabled believers to draw near to God and interceded forgiveness for them
5. The office of the High Priest supposes two important things
(a) Forgiveness of sins
(b) Access to God
6. Jesus got these two essential needs for His believers
(a) The writer of the book of Hebrews treats Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as how a High Priest enters the Temple once a year
(b) For him, Jesus entered the real sanctuary by making the model sanctuary obsolete
7. All High Priests prior to Jesus had limitations:
(a) Temporary
(b) Passed away
(c) Repeat every year
(d) Needed to receive cleansing before they represented people before God
8. Jesus is the better High Priest because He is
(a) Holy (means “covenant faithfulness to YHWH (7:26)
(b) Blameless (absence of all that is bad and wrong) (7:26)
(c) Undefiled (free from evil) (7:26)
(d) Separate from sinners (no longer lives in this material world) (7:26)
(e) Exalted above the heavens (super celestial exaltation)
(f) God made an oath/promise about Jesus (Hebrews 8:20-22 cf. Psalm 110:4)
(g) Jesus’ priesthood is permanent (Hebrews 8:23-25)
III. The benefits of Jesus the High Priest
1. Makes/made atonement for their sins (2:17)
2. Cleanses believers’ consciences so that they can serve God (9:14)
3. Procures acceptance with God for them (10:19)
4. Enables believers to live a life of faith, worship, and obedience (13:15, 21)
5. Gives them assistance and comfort in their trials, temptations, and sufferings (2:17-18; 4:15-16)
6. Preserves them from sins and dangers that might ruin them (7:25)
IV. Take Away
Draw near to God individually and corporately
