This Advent season, we’re exploring the threefold office of Christ: Prophet, Priest, and King. Last time, we saw Jesus as the ultimate Prophet, God’s final Word. Now, we turn our attention to Jesus, our High Priest.
The priesthood isn’t merely an Old Testament concept. It’s rooted in Eden, where Adam was entrusted with priestly duties, mediating between God and creation. Tragically, he failed, leading to humanity’s expulsion from God’s presence. The tabernacle and later the temple, with their intricate rituals and sacrifices, were God’s way of restoring a taste of Eden, allowing for His presence to dwell among His people.
However, the Old Testament priesthood faced inherent limitations. The priests themselves were sinful, requiring atonement. Animal sacrifices, while symbolic, couldn’t truly atone for the cosmic treason of sin. Access to God’s presence was restricted to once a year, and the priests’ finite lives limited their intercession for the people.
Enter Jesus, our Great High Priest. Prophesied in Zechariah and Psalm 110, He unites the offices of Priest and King. Chosen by God, He offered the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice – His own life – tearing the curtain separating us from God’s presence. He is a priest forever, not in the order of Aaron, bound by lineage and earthly limitations, but in the order of Melchizedek, a mysterious figure who foreshadowed Christ’s eternal priesthood.
What does this mean for us? Through Jesus, we have constant access to God’s grace. His sacrifice has cleansed us, enabling us to approach God with confidence and boldness. No longer bound by fear or limited access, we can draw near to the throne of grace, receiving mercy and finding grace in our time of need. And because Jesus ever lives, His intercession for us is eternal, securing our salvation and ensuring that we are never separated from the Father’s love. This is the hope we cling to, the hope that transforms our lives and compels us to worship the One who has made us new.
