Suppose you had to run a race, and it was permissible for you to call on someone else to run for you, who would you pick? And even though it is generally never permitted, let’s just suppose for a moment that it was okay for you to call on someone else to take a test for you, who would you pick? Naturally you would pick the fastest runner you knew. Or you would pick the smartest person you could find in math, or science, or whatever subject the test was. You would not pick a runner who was just as slow as you, nor someone who struggled just as much in math as you. We each have a similar problem in the spiritual realm, as each of us has a sin-debt that we cannot pay. Who can we turn to in order to help us? Our Scripture from the Book of Hebrews today looks into this.
Every man, woman, and child has a sin nature which we inherited from our first ancestor, Adam. And our own sinful inclination leads us into sin every day. Sin requires a blood sacrifice to bring forgiveness, and God set out the laws for this in His Word, the Bible. During the days of the Old Testament the Jewish people had a priesthood which came from the house of Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, and they performed the sacrifices necessary for sins. However, there were some problems with this priesthood. Let’s look at what they were and how the Lord Jesus proves to be the answer, and a better High Priest.
First, each of these priests, including the high priests, were temporary. Being ordinary humans, they lived and died like everyone else (vs. 23). Multiple priests were needed over time. However, Jesus lives forever, and has a permanent priesthood. Because He is superior, He is able to save completely (vs. 24).
Secondly, these human priests were sinners, themselves, as we all are. They were no different. They had to first bring sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer sacrifices for anyone else’s sins (vs. 27). How could someone who is equally a sinner as I am make atonement for my sins? Over the course of time throughout the Old Testament there were some high priests who fell into grave sin, including mixing the worship of Yahweh with that of pagan gods. Would I want someone who failed a class to take the test for me? That wouldn’t be smart. So why would I want someone who was equally, or possibly even more sinful than myself, to make sacrifices for my sins? Thankfully this is where the Lord Jesus steps in as a High Priest who is holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners (vs. 26). He had no sin of His own to make a sacrifice of forgiveness for, so He is able to fully atone for my sins.
These sacrifices given by the Jewish priests needed to be offered over and over again. The sacrifice of Jesus is unique and sufficient, never to be repeated. This is because Jesus Christ is both our Great High Priest and also the perfect sacrifice.
Another blessing of having the Lord Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest is that He is in heaven now making intercession for us (vs. 25). Sometimes we might feel all alone, and wonder if there is anyone praying for us. We can rest assured that Jesus is praying for us right now! The storms in our life may get rough, and the clouds get dark, but Jesus is praying for us. When temptations come and we are tried on every side, Jesus is praying for us. We don’t ever need to be afraid, because Jesus is praying for us. Jesus offers unending intercession on our behalf.
Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins opened the way for us to have immediate, unhindered access and admittance to the Father’s presence (vs. 28). When Jesus finished His work in making the final priestly sacrifice, the veil in the Temple, which closed off the Holy of Holies from man, was torn in two (Mark 15:38). Access to God was now open to all who believe in Jesus as Savior.
Scripture points us to Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Through Jesus we have access to God. He is not a temporary or weak Savior. He continually intercedes for us He continues to mark a clear and safe trail for us in life.
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