A High Priest Like No Other

CONSIDER THIS

The crowd is waiting outside the temple in silence. 

The high priest has made his once-a-year entrance into the Holy of Holies. The crowd awaits the high priest’s return to announce that the sacrifice has been accepted and that full forgiveness has been granted for another year. The sacrifice he offers is for his own sins as well as the sins of the people. If he returns, all is well. If he does not return, the crowd outside will know that he has been struck down inside the temple and they will remain guilty, unclean, hopeless. 

In the book of Hebrews, the writer presents Jesus as our High Priest. There is no comparison, no rival, no equal. The Old Testament high priest offered up a lifeless sacrifice, but Jesus offered the spotless sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice, the perfect sacrifice — He gave Himself. His sacrifice was greater because it was a living sacrifice,  the only sinless One, which was offered “once for all.” 

He is our high priest forever; His priesthood is without end. We no longer need priests. We have Jesus. He is the only One who provides true grace and hope. He is the only One fully qualified to forgive, restore, and guide us.

What is our response? When our culture and temptations try to lure us away, when trials make us feel befuddled and troubled — let us not abandon our faith. Let us draw closer to Him.

Text adapted from Brandon Lohr and Michael Card