CENTRAL THOUGHT
Jesus Christ, our Great and Eternal High Priest.
HYMN: CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US
TEXT: Heb 4:14-16; 5:1-6; 7:23-28
INTRODUCTION
The position of the High priest in the Old Testament was a key one. The High priest was a mediator between the Most High God and men. He supervised and ensured that sacrifices were carried out well and as when due. Though the High Priest offered sacrifices, they were not sufficient to cleanse man from his/her sins.
All the sacrifices done were to cover the iniquities and not to purge them out of men. These sacrifices were for himself (i.e. the High Priest) and the entire congregation of Israel, by using animals that had no defect/ blemish. The New Testament church is not left without a High Priest. In this study, we shall be looking at the Lord Jesus Christ our only Great and Eternal High Priest.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study are:
- Know who a High Priest was in Old Testament and his duties.
- Understand the superiority of Christ’s priesthood.
- Appreciate how Christ is touched by the feelings of our infirmities.
- Understand the sinless nature of Christ and the challenges it poses for the Christians of today.
- Know the present ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the benefit to the believer.
BIBLE TRUTH
Q1. WHAT WERE THE DUTIES OF THE HIGH PRIEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?
For the purpose of our study, a priest is someone who is ordained and authorized to minister to a congregation as a pastor; he is a shepherd to the flock. It follows therefore that a high priest though a priest, is distinguished from others as the head, the leader, on who instructs and directs the affairs of the priesthood, having other priests under him. The high priest is the head priest and is also regarded as the Chief Priest (2 Kings.25:18).
In the Bible, High Priests were called and ordained of God to minister to Him and offer both gifts and sacrifices (Heb.8:3) amongst others for the sins of men.
They were chosen by God and in the Old Testament, their children also were consecrated and set apart for service in the Priesthood as clearly illustrated in the case of Aaron, Eli, and Samuel. (Num.18:7; Ex.28:43; Ex.29:9; Ex.40:15).
The Old Testament High Priest were basically mediators, between God and man. They interceded on behalf of the congregation, and pronounced benedictions (Num.6:22-27; 2Chr.30:27). In addition, they instructed the Israelites on the laws/ways of God. (Deut.24:8; 31:9-13; Mal.2:7).
The class should mention others.
Q2. FROM THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES, EXPLAIN THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST PRIESTHOOD.
Heb.4: 14-16; 7:15-28; 8:6; 6:20.
The priesthood of Christ is a superior to the Levitical priesthood. His priesthood is endless; it is forever. Men’s priesthood end at their death and are succeeded. (Heb.7:23). Christ priesthood is forever, it is not transferable and it is an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore, His priesthood is both human as well as divine (Heb.2:17; 3:1) but it was divinely appointed (Heb.5:5).
While the Levitical priesthood (i.e. priesthood ordained from the tribe of Levi) needed animals that were without blemishes for sacrifices to atone for their sins and those of the congregation to make them acceptable to God, Christ Himself was holy, undefiled, pure and sinless. (Heb.7:26). Also, the priest of the Levitical order needed daily sacrifice on a regular basis, first for his own sins and for others, but Christ did not need to offer sacrifice for Himself since He was sinless. He offered up Himself as the final and last sacrifice for others. (Heb.10:11- 12). The peculiarity about Christ sacrifice is that it did not only atone as those of animals (i.e. cover up the sins) but it blotted the sins out completely.
In addition, Christ was referred to in Heb.4:14 as the great High Priest i.e. to say, Christ is not just priest but, qualified as the great High Priest. Other High priests were mortal men who died and were buried. Although Christ offered himself and was buried, He did not remain in the grave. His tomb is empty; He resurrected and now lives forever and is on the right Hand of God making intercession for us as the great and exalted High Priest. (Heb.8:1).
Q3. HOW CAN THIS PHRASE, “CHRIST IS TOUCHED WITH THE FEELINGS OF OUR INFIRMITIES” BE A SUCCOR TO THE BELIEVER?
Heb 4:15; 2:14-18
Heb 4:15 clearly states that “for we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin”.
Several examples abound in scriptures of how Christ showed compassion, love and mercy on the sick, possessed, poor, forsaken, oppressed and depraved people while He was on earth. He healed those that needed healing, restored the outcast to the society, and the hungry turned water into wine for the stranded couples during their marriage ceremony, and at Lazarus’s grave side, He wept just as everyman would. Several Biblical examples abound of how Christ was touched by the feelings of men while on earth.
Today Christ as our High Priest is seated at the right hand of God, making intercession for us. (Heb.7:25). He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities; no matter our life experiences, Christ promised in Matt.28:20 to be with us always. The believer should be confident that by Christ’s death, he needs no longer make sacrifices of bulls and rams, but Christ has done it all and must be assured of the victory he/she has in Christ Jesus over sin and life’s challenges. As long as he/she remain connected to Christ the Great High Priest, victory in life’s battle is sure and inevitable.
Q4. DISCUSS THE SINLESS NATURE OF CHRIST AND THE CHALLENGES IT POSES FOR THE CHRISTIAN OF TODAY.
Heb 4:15, 7:26; John 3:7-10; 1 Peter 2:21-23.
Christ maintained a sinless nature despite being born as man and faced with the daily challenges that men face. The today’s Christian is challenged to live a pure and holy life.
At the point of conversion, (i.e. being born again) the life of God is impacted into man; this God factor/presence in the spirit of man inhibits/prevents that man from willful sin. However, if by error a child of God falls into sin, we have Christ the Advocate before the Father. (1John.1:9; 1 Tim.2:4-6). It is therefore important for the believer to ensure that when he falls, he does not remain fallen but must rise up and continue in the race. (Prov.24:16). The Christian today is encouraged to strive towards perfection as our heavenly father is perfect (Matt.5:48).
Q5. WHAT IS THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF OUR LORD JESUS AND THE BENEFITS TO THE BELIEVER?
Heb.2:18, 7:25; John 13:3; Matt.3:11; Isaiah 41:10; Matt.28:20.
When the Lord Christ was on earth, He went everywhere doing good (Acts.10:38). His ministry unlike those of mortal men did not end at His death. Today we have the testimony that our Lord Jesus is alive, and still very much ministering to His children. He gives succor for all life’s challenges. He alone baptizes with the Holy Ghost and fire. He is ever present to encourage, strength and help His children. He is our eternal intercessor, seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us. (Heb.7:25).
The believer today benefits immensely from the ministry of CHRIST. He receives forgiveness of sins because Christ is our advocate with the FATHER. (1 John.2:1-2). The believer’s prayers are answered. The Lord still gives gifts to men to be used for His glory on earth. (Eph.4:8- 13). Apart from spiritual gifts, He provides for the physical needs of the believers and guarantees the security of every believer.
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ is superior to any other priesthood, and because He abided forever, and continues without change, He is dependable and sufficient for all human needs. When we are discouraged, downcast, feeling abandoned or lonely, we should go to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Great and Eternal High Priest.
MEMORY VERSE
Heb.4:14
“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession”.
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Monday: Who is a priest?
Lev.8:12; 1Pet.2:9 and Heb.9:25.
Tuesday: Duties of the Old Testament High Priest.
2Chro.30:27; Num.18:5; 8:3.
Wednesday: The superiority of Christ Priesthood.
Heb.7:26-27.
Thursday: Christ is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
Heb.4:15.
Friday: The present ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Heb.7:25.
Saturday: How can we benefit from the priesthood of Christ?
1Jn.2:1-2; Eph.4:8-13.