How is Jesus our High Priest?

TL;DR:

Jesus is our High Priest because He offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice for sin and now continually mediates between us and God. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God’s presence.

In the Old Testament, priests served as mediators between God and the people, with the high priest uniquely entering the Most Holy Place once a year to offer sacrifices for sins (Leviticus 16). The priesthood of the Old Testament foreshadowed the greater priesthood of Christ. Jesus, unlike earthly priests, offered Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12). Through His sacrifice and ongoing mediation, believers are made righteous and given direct access to God’s presence (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:16). Jesus is eternally a priest and king (Hebrews 7:17). Jesus as our high priest frees us from dependence on human mediators and assures us that God hears our prayers and welcomes us into His presence. Because Jesus is our High Priest, we can live in confidence, hope, and closeness with God.

from the old testament

In the Jewish system, a priest mediated between the people and God. Aaron and his descendants were appointed priests, with the tribe of Levi serving as assistants in the Tabernacle (Numbers 3:5-10). The Levites were viewed as belonging to God (Numbers 3:12); they were set apart. The priests, too, were set apart (holy). Specific regulations for the priests can be found in Leviticus 21 – 22.
The high priest was the chief religious leader of Israel and had specific God-given duties. Among these responsibilities were wearing the Urim and Thummim to assist in determining the will of God (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21) and overseeing the other priests (Numbers 18:7). Most importantly, it was the high priest alone who entered the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) (Leviticus 16:2, 29-34). Before doing so, he was required to make a sacrifice for his own sins (Leviticus 16:6, 11). In this way, the high priest was cleansed and then able to offer the cleansing sacrifices for the people (Leviticus 16:15-19). This sacred duty highlighted both the holiness of God and the need for atonement, foreshadowing the perfect High Priest, Jesus Christ, who offered Himself once for all (see Hebrews 9:11-14).
In Hebrews 7, Jesus is referred to as Melchizedek. Melchizedek is introduced in Genesis 14 as both a king and a priest (Genesis 14:18). He met Abram (later known as Abraham) after Abram's battle victory. In their meeting, Melchizedek blessed Abram, and Abram gave him a tenth of everything, thus confirming Melchizedek's priesthood and authority.

from the new testament

The office of priest was an important one in the Old Testament system and is fulfilled by Jesus. Hebrews has several passages depicting Jesus as the High Priest (Hebrews 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-5:10; 6:20; 7:11-8:2; 10:12).
Jesus as High Priest mediates for us. His sacrifice is what provides cleansing for our sins. Rather than a yearly (or daily) atonement, Jesus' sacrifice is once-for-all (Hebrews 10:1-18). Jesus, like the high priests of Old Testament times, stands in the gap between us (the people) and God. Jesus made the necessary sacrifice for us. He is without sin, so He did not need to offer a sacrifice for Himself as did the high priests of the Old Testament.
Those who have put their faith in Jesus have been made righteous by Him (2 Corinthians 5:21) and are now able to enter into God's presence.
This mediation of Jesus is permanent and continual. Hebrews 7:23-25 says, "The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever."
Jesus' sacrifice was once-for-all, and His mediation for us continues. Jesus also communicates the will of God to us through His teachings and through the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
Jesus is not only our High Priest but also a "priest forever after the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7:11-22). The writer of Hebrews explains that Jesus is of this order of priests – His priesthood is based on authority rather than on lineage (Hebrews 7:11-17), and it is also kingly. Therefore, Jesus' priesthood institutes a new way of being: "For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well" (Hebrews 7:12). With Jesus as High Priest, a new covenant is in effect.

implications for today

Perhaps the most crucial thing for believers to understand today is that it is because Jesus is our High Priest that we can approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). We no longer need to go through earthly mediators. Jesus has broken the barrier, made the sacrifice, established a new covenant, and reinstituted our relationship with God. Because of our High Priest, we are free to come to God without fear or uncertainty. Because Jesus is our High Priest, every prayer, every cry, and every need can be brought directly to the throne of grace. This is the hope and freedom we live in daily: God is no longer far off, but near, welcoming us into His presence as His children (Hebrews 10:19-22).

understand

Jesus is the once-for-all sacrifice for sin.
Jesus as our High Priest means He continually mediates for us.
Jesus’ eternal, kingly priesthood gives us access to God’s presence.

reflect

How does knowing Jesus is your High Priest give you confidence to approach God in prayer?
How do you rely on Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice instead of trying to earn God’s favor by your own efforts?
How does Jesus’ continual mediation for you shape the way you face struggles, doubts, or guilt?

engage

How does the Old Testament high priest’s role on the Day of Atonement foreshadow Jesus’ greater priesthood?
Why is it significant that Jesus’ priesthood is eternal?
How can we encourage each other to live in the freedom and confidence that Jesus, our High Priest, provides ?