Jesus The Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16
By Harold Dinsmore, M.Div.
© 2007 Harold Dinsmore

       “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16.

      Jesus role as the great and faithful high priest is really seen within his commission announced by an angel to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21, “But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as y our wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.  She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.  It was also indicated by the angel to the shepherds in Luke 2:10-11, “But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”  It is kind of odd to think that the one coming to save the people from their sins is not only the priest who offers up the sacrifice, but is the sacrifice.  If you will remember last week’s theme of Jesus the Prophet, we discovered he was not only the prophet, but the prophecy himself.