Central Thought: Christ our High Priest lives forever, interceding for the saints.
Hymn: I am so glad that our Father in heaven
Text: Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-10, 7:21-28
Introduction:
Under the law of Moses, the presiding officer of the Levitical priesthood was called the high priest. The position of the high priest was hereditary and came through the first-born among the family of Aaron. The office was usually a life time calling and, when rightly appointed it was by revelation from God “as was Aaron” Hebrews 5:4.
The position of the high priest in the Old Testament was a vital and highly exalted one. It was the high priest who was responsible for the tabernacle, its daily offerings, and functions and also its regular feasts, three times a year: at Passover, at Pentecost and at the Day of Atonement (which was followed by a well of joy in the feast of Tabernacles Leviticus 23).
The New Testament church is not left without a high priest. Jesus Christ is the high priest of the New Testament.
Lesson Objectives:
- To identify the function of the Old Testament high priest.
- To comprehend why animal blood is no longer required for the atonement of sin today.
- To examine the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over the Levitical priesthood.
- To understand what it takes to come boldly to the throne of grace
- To show that a believer benefits from Christ’s priesthood.
Question 1.) What were the duties of the Old Testament high priest?
Hebrews 5:1, Leviticus 6:19-23, 9:2-7, 22-24, 10:8-11, Exodus 30:1-10
From the above scriptures, it is clear what some of the functions and duties of the Old Testament high priest were:
- The High Priest was required to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins, attend to the golden candlestick, and burn incense morning and evening
- He was also to stand before the Ark of the Covenant and make atonement for the children of Israel once a year.
- Moreover the High Priest was required to teach the people the law of God… “For the Priest lips should keep knowledge and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the Lord of host” Malachi 2:7.
- In view of the fact that the High Priest knew God’s law, he was best able to assist in regulating and interpreting the law and to specify the divinely ordained penalties for various sins and breaches of the law (Deuteronomy 17:9-11).
- It was the High Priest’s duty to pray and bless the people. The occasions he was to do this are not specified. The form of the blessing is given and is superlatively grand. He called upon the Lord to bless and keep them, to make his face shine upon them and be gracious unto them, to lift His countenance upon them and give them Peace (Numbers 6:22-27).
Question 2.) Why is animal blood unnecessary for the atonement of sins today?
Hebrews 7:27, 9:11-14, 10:1-12.
The New Testament discussion of atonement, redemption and reconciliation flow from the pattern of sacrifice found in the Old Testament. The animal sacrifice were merely a type, foreshadow and prophecy of the atonement that Christ made for us as our Great High Priest.
“But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building, neither by the blood of goat and calves, but by His own blood. He entered in once into the holy place having obtained eternal redemption for us” Hebrews 9:11-12. We must realize that the reason animal blood is no longer used today, is because, the blood of animals like bulls, sheep and goats are not only symbolic in making atonement for man’s sin. Hebrews 10:4 puts it clearly: “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins”. This is because they are only animals and not men. In reality only the blood of a sinless man can adequately atone for man’s sin. All these animal sacrifices were only intended to point to the coming sacrifice of one man-Jesus Christ. It is His blood which has actually made full atonement for man’s sin. When He shed His blood at the cross of Calvary, our Lord Jesus fulfilled what was anticipated by every animal sacrifice that had been made in Israel. Therefore by sacrificing himself Jesus not only paid for the sins of all those who were under the Old Testament, by for all those who would later come under the New Testament as well. Hebrews 9:15. Thus there is no reason to sacrifice animals for atonement of sins today.
Question 3.) Examine the superiority of Christ’s Priesthood over the Levitical Priesthood.
Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:14-28
From the text above, it is clear that the priesthood of Christ is superior to the Levitical Priesthood.
- The Old Testament high priests were appointed by law but Christ’s Priesthood was by the word of oath. (Psalm 110:4). The word of oath came after the law; this pints to the fact that Jesus replaced the Old Testament High Priest. He was not only after the law, but he was also beyond and above the law. “For those who formerly became Priests received their office without its being confirmed by the taking of an oath by God, but this One (Christ) was designated and addressed and saluted with an oath…” Hebrews 7:21 (Amplified).
- Christ’s Priesthood is eternal and permanent because He abides forever. His priesthood cannot be changed, while that of the Old Testament High Priest was temporal because they die as mortals.
- The Old Testament High Priest were subject to weaknesses, whereas Christ has been make perfect forever (Hebrews 7:26-28. Human weaknesses include susceptibility to sickness, frailties, failure and sin, moral flaws and faults, and the unreliability of man. This stands in total contrast to the ability of Christ to have become all that God wanted in a High Priest.
- Jesus Christ did not have to offer sacrifices day by day. Firstly, it was unnecessary for Him to offer sacrifice for his own sins, because He had none, though he was tested in every respect like we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
Secondly, Jesus Christ offered himself once for all. Thus He was holy, blameless, undefiled and separated from sinners. The perfect High Priest offered the perfect sacrifice.
- The title “Great High Priest” is used only to describe Jesus Christ. It denotes His vast superiority over any high priest that has ever existed before.
Question 4.) What is the present ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ as High Priest?
Hebrews 2:18, 7:25, 4:14-16
The High Priest has two primary functions: As a representative of the people, he offers sacrifices for their sins and he intercedes before God on their behalf. This is what Christ does for us as our “Great High Priest”. He has offered Himself as our sacrifice for sin and He continually intercedes on our behalf before God in heaven. At present His high priestly duty is to pray for us and He does this with compassion and understanding. Hebrews 4:15 says “for we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin”. Christ knows what we are going through. He understands the feelings, attitudes, weaknesses and particular situation of the believer. He is able to sympathize with and intercede on his behalf before God and grant eventual victory.
Question 5.) What does it entail to obtain help from the throne of Grace?
Hebrews 4:16, 10:19-23, 11:6
The throne of Grace is the place where God Himself is, and it is a place of grace for those who have Christ as their High Priest. Grace means “favor”, so the throne of grace is a place we come to receive God’s favor. To obtain help from the throne of Grace involves us coming boldly to the throne of Grace and having faith in our Great High Priest with the leading of the Spirit drawing us to His blessed feet.
Question 6.) How can an individual benefit from the priesthood of Christ?
Hebrews 10:21-23
Be born again: One cannot benefit from the priesthood of Christ if he is not born again. John 3:3, Only the man who is born again qualifies to enjoy the kingdom blessing.
Hold fast to your confession: Hebrews 3:14 says, that we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. The believer must be alert and diligent irrespective of the pressures. The person must understand the provision available in Christ as our High Priest. He then must take advantage of it and live under this grace.
Daily Living Application
The Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ is superior to the Levitical priesthood. He abides forever, is dependable and sufficient for all our needs. As God’s children let us strive to hold fast our confession in order to partake in the benefits of the priesthood of Christ.
Memory Verse:
Hebrews 4:15
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: The High Priest’s Garment
Exodus 28:5-43, 39:2-7
Tuesday: Consider our High Priest
Hebrews 3:1-10
Wednesday: Enjoying the Priesthood of Christ
Hebrews 3:12-19, 4:11-12, 10:21-23
Thursday: Who can come to His throne?
Matthew 11:28, Hebrews 4:16, Isaiah 1:18-19
Friday: The sacrifice of Christ is sufficient
Hebrews 10:1-12
Saturday: Purpose of our High Priest’s Intercessor
Hebrews 7:22-26, Isaiah 53:12