The Superior Priesthood

of Jesus Christ

Hebrews

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (Hebrews 3:1)

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14)

The Overarching Theme of Hebrews

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2)

In the summary and application section, all of our response is grounded in two essentially connected truths:

– Since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus (10:19)

– Since we have a great high priest over the house of God (10:21)

The characteristics of our great high priest.

What we have in the person of Jesus (The majesty of our high priest)—(1:1-7:28).

What we have in provisions of Jesus (The ministry of our high priest)—(8:1-10:18).

What we should do in the pursuit of Jesus (Our ministry as His priests)—(10:19-13:25).

Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a minister in the sanctuary, and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. (Hebrews 8:1-2)

What kind of priest do we have?

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:28)

Implications of this three-fold description:

“A Son”—superior in nature (1:1-4:13)

“Made perfect”—superior in experience (4:14-6:20)

“Forever”—superior in tenure (7:1-28)

The OT Background

Messenger of God to the people

– For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

The OT Background

Minister of God in the tabernacle

– The priest’s role was to ensure the proper worship of God in the offering of incense and sacrifices, to offer holy sacrifices to God with reverence.

“They shall teach Thine ordinances to Jacob, and Thy law to Israel. They shall put incense before Thee, and whole burnt offerings on Thine altar. (Deuteronomy 33:8-11)

Jesus is presented as:

Messenger of God to the people

– God’s final spokesman (1:1ff)

– God’s first spokesman of the great salvation (2:3)

– God’s awesome present spokesman (12:25)

– “Consider him” as “the apostle…of our confession” (3:1).

Minister of God in the tabernacle

– “A minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle” (8:2)

– Consider him as “the high priest of our confession” (3:1).

Jesus is presented as:

Jesus in these important roles is “better” than His OT

correspondents. He is mediator of a better covenant

which has been enacted on better promises (8:6).

He has obtained “a more excellent ministry” as priest (8:6).

This better covenant and better ministry are grounded in fact that he has obtained a “more excellent name”! (1:4).

The superior features of our high priest (that is, in His person) are declared in three principal areas.

Superior in name or nature—“A Son”

His right to the world as His inheritance—“heir of all things”

His work as creator—“through whom also He made the worlds”

His divine splendor—”the radiance of His glory

His divine nature— “the exact representation of His nature”

His role as sustainer of the created world—“upholds all things by the word of His power”

His completed work as our great high priest—“when He had made purification of sins….

His rule at the Father’s right hand—“He has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high”.

His more excellent name—“having become as much better than angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they”.

Superior in name or nature—“A Son”

Jesus’ superiority to angels is clearly seen in the OT

Scriptures In the designation “Son”—2:5-6.

In His treatment as God, the served (worshipped) rather than the servant (the worshipper)—1:6-7.

In the designation “God”—2:8-9.

In the designation “Lord”—2:10-12.

In His position of rule at God’s right hand—2:13-14.

As God’s Son, He is superior to angels, the heavenly mediators of the Law (1:4-14).

As God’s Son, He is superior to Moses (and the prophets who followed him), the earthly mediator of the Law (3:1-6)

As God’s Son, He is superior in nature to all who have participated in the history of Israel’s redemption.

Superior or better in experience or preparation

—“Made perfect” Glorious man became fallen and enslaved man.

The “last Adam” tasted death for every man to redeem him from the fear of death and the slavery that results from it.

All things have been put into subjection under Jesus’ feet.

In order to occupy this place of dominion (which proves Him greater than angels) Jesus must first become “lower than angels” for a time that God might “perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings” (2:9-10).

The result is that both Jesus and “the seed of Abraham” share a common relationship to God. They are all His sons; and thus are brethren (2:11).

It was necessary in God’s purpose for Him to share our humanity and to be tested by

suffering so that He might:

Become a merciful and faithful high priest to make propitiation for the sins of the people (2:17).

Come to the aid of the tempted (2:18).

Our high priest he must not only share our experience of suffering, he must also

be made perfect by learning the lesson of

obedience.

OT Priests & Jesus contrasted

OT Priests JesusCalled by God Appointed by

oath

Beset with weakness

Learned obedience through suffering

Makes offerings for self and others

Makes offerings for others only

Notice here the wonderful internal summary in the expressions of 5:8-10. Although He was a Son, He learned

obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Thus, Jesus, “the Son” was “made perfect” to serve as our high priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (forever)!

Superior or better in tenure—“Forever!”

Jesus was called to serve as priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:9-10).

This priesthood of Melchizedek is greater than the Aaronic priesthood (7:1-10).

Therefore, the priesthood of Jesus brings in a “better hope” based on His permanent role as our high priest (7:11-28)

OT Priests & Jesus contrasted

OT Priests Jesus

Physical requirement

Indestructible life

Not appointed by oath

Appointed by oath

Vast numbers One priest

Make repeated sacrifices for themselves

Makes sacrifice for others once

for all

Weak A Son made perfect forever

What did the message of Hebrews mean to the

original reader?

What does the message of Hebrews mean to us?