Priests, according to Webster’s dictionary, “perform sacred rites as a mediatory agents between man and God.” That’s a pretty good definition I think. (cp. Hebrews 5:1)
The book of Hebrews in the Bible compares merely human priests (especially Jewish priests) with Jesus, “our great high priest.” And the point is this: Merely human priests are not able to decisively and completely deal with human failings (“sin”) and need. They are simply human… they have “sin” and needs of their own. Jesus, however, is an entirely different kind of priest, designated by Jehovah God – our Heavenly Father – to act as “our Great High Priest! He is not merely human… He is also divine! He is God! But he is more… He is the “God-man”!
This morning I read these wonderful words about His priesthood in the Bible during “coffee with the Lord” and worshiped!
“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood… why was there still a need for another priest to come… 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? … He [Jesus Christ] became a priest with an oath when God said to him: ‘The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever!’ Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant. Now there have been many of those priests [human priests], but 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 [merely human 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! For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever!” (from Hebrews 7:11-28 NIV)
Just gotta tell you, I’m worshipping! I need MORE than merely a human priest – one with human weakness, failings and needs! I need an Almighty God appointed priest – One who is both human and divine – One who, because he is human understands my needs; but One who, on the other hand, who is also divine –God! – who because He is God can decisively deal with my sin and failings! And, Oh praise the Lord, I have One – Jesus Christ, my “Great High Priest” who offered Himself up for my sin and sits at the Father’s right hand in the Heavenly Temple, interceding (appealing the merits of His sacrifice on the cross) for me! Something to be grateful for I tell you! Something for which to offer praise God! … And I am!!!
