8/17/25
Rev. Clint Smith
Sermon Direct Link
If we are honest, as Americans we often don’t fully grasp the Biblical job description of the high priest given to Moses in the Old Testament. The high priest was the supreme religious leader of Israel. His office was hereditary, traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the tribe of Levi. Exodus 28:1; Numbers 18:7
The writer of Hebrews gives us powerful insight into the contrast between the high priest of Israel and the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Although chosen from imperfect men, the high priest was set apart as holy unto the LORD. His office was a gift of grace, not a personal achievement, and he served at the altar of God.
1. Called by God: Just as Aaron was, no man could choose himself for this role.
2. Gentle with the people: Because he shared in human weakness, he was able to deal gently with the spiritually ignorant and misguided.
3. Sacrifices required: His weakness also meant he had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4. Day of Atonement: His most important duty was to enter the Most Holy Place once a year, on the Day of Atonement, to offer blood sacrifices for himself and for Israel. Only he could enter behind the veil and sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat, God’s throne of grace. Leviticus 16:14–15
Jesus, though eternally God, became fully man so that He could suffer death and serve as our true High Priest. Unlike every other priest, Jesus was not of Aaron’s order and was sinless, therefore needed no sacrifice for Himself. Because He obeyed the Father completely and bore the penalty of sin in our place, He is greater than any priest before or after Him. This is why Scripture calls Him our Great High Priest.
1. Perfect in every way: Jesus was, is, and always will be honored as holy, spotless, and eternal.
2. Author of hope and salvation: Through His sacrifice, He became the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
3. Appointed by the Father: God the Father called Him High Priest, not after Aaron, but according to the order of Melchizedek, a priesthood both royal and eternal.
4. Hallowed, eternal mediator: Jesus is the everlasting mediator between God and man, the final authority as Priest and King. He will one day return to reign in Jerusalem, the very city from which Melchizedek once ruled. Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110