The article "This Is Our Priest" by Don Fortner addresses the doctrine of Christ's priesthood and its implications for believers. Fortner emphasizes the superiority of Christ's priestly ministry compared to the Levitical priesthood in the Old Testament. He presents three main arguments: Christ's role as a 'Seated Priest' signifies the completion of His redemptive work, His position on the throne emphasizes His authority and ability to save, and He serves in the true sanctuary in heaven rather than an earthly one. Scripture passages such as Hebrews 8:1-2, Psalm 110:1, and Romans 8:34 are highlighted to reinforce these points, showing that Christ's intercession and sacrificial work are fully accepted by God, ensuring the believer's salvation. The theological significance lies in the assurance of salvation and the ongoing ministry of Christ on behalf of His people, who can confidently approach God without the need for earthly mediators.
Key Quotes
“We bow to no earthly priest. Our great High Priest, the only Mediator and Priest by which sinners may approach the holy Lord God, is in heaven.”
“The fact that he sat down declares that his work was done.”
“He entered into and took possession of heaven as our Forerunner. That means that we for whom he entered in shall also enter into heaven by him.”
“The intercession of that Priest who has been accepted in heaven for us is infallibly effectual.”
What does the Bible say about Christ as our High Priest?
The Bible describes Christ as our great High Priest who is seated at the right hand of God, having completed His work of redemption.
Furthermore, His position at the right hand of God's throne underscores His authority and ability to save 'to the uttermost' (Hebrews 7:25). Unlike earthly priests, who never sat down due to the unfinished nature of their rituals, Christ's sitting implies both the completeness of His atoning work and His unceasing intercession for His people. His ministry in the true, heavenly sanctuary continues as He intercedes on behalf of believers, ensuring that His sacrifice is eternally effective and accepted by the Father.
Hebrews 8:1-2, Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 10:12-13, John 17:1-2, Romans 14:9, Ephesians 2:4-7, Hebrews 9:24, Romans 8:33-34
How do we know that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient?
Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient as He completed His work, signified by His seating at the right hand of God.
Moreover, Hebrews 8:1 asserts that Christ’s position at the right hand of God not only indicates His authority but also ensures that the work He accomplished in our place is accepted by the Father. This seated position symbolizes the end of sacrificial offerings and affirms that believers are justified and reconciled, entering into a relationship with God through Christ as our High Priest. Hence, the finality of Jesus' sacrifice is a constant source of hope for believers, grounding our faith in His ability to save fully and eternally.
Hebrews 10:12-13, Hebrews 8:1, Hebrews 9:24
Why is Christ's intercession important for Christians?
Christ’s intercession is vital as it ensures ongoing mediation and advocacy for believers before God.
In contrast to the Old Testament priests who could only perform mediatory roles temporarily and could never fully remove sin, Christ’s priestly work is both final and perfect. His presence in the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24) signifies that He represents His people directly before God, continually pleading their case. For Christians, this assurance means that we are always covered by His righteousness and empowered to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing our Advocate is the Son of God Himself. Thus, His intercessory role is foundational for our relationship with the Father and is integral to our understanding of the security in our salvation.
Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:24
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. of the sanctuary...: Or, of holy things - Hebrews 8:1-2This Is Our Priest
We bow to no earthly priest. Our great High Priest, the only Mediator and Priest by which sinners may approach the holy Lord God is in heaven. The eighth chapter shows us the superiority of Christ’s ministry as our High Priest over the ministry of the Aaronic priests in the Old Testament. The superiority of our Savior’s priestly ministry is here demonstrated in three ways.
A Seated Priest
Our great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, is a Seated Priest. – “We have such a high priest, who is set” (v. 1; Ps. 110:1; Heb. 1:1-3; 10:12-13). The fact that he sat down declares that his work was done. When our Lord Jesus cried, “It is finished,” he meant, “It is finished!” – What was finished? All the types, promises and prophecies concerning him were fulfilled and finished. All the commandments and ceremonies of the law were fulfilled and finished. All the work of redemption, which he came into the world to perform, was finished. No priest ever sat down in the typical holy of holies, because none of those priest could ever finish their work. Their sacrifices could never put away sin. The Lord Jesus Christ sat down, because his work was finished.
Seated Upon A Throne
Our great High Priest is seated upon the throne of God! – “On the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the Heavens” – (v. 1). The fact that he is seated upon the throne of God, the throne of universal monarchy, the throne of grace, declares that he is, indeed, able to (and most assuredly will) save all his people unto the uttermost, for he has been given power over all flesh for that purpose (John 17:1-2; Rom. 14:9.
The True Sanctuary
All earthly priests served in the earth. Theirs was an earthly, carnal ministry. Our Lord Jesus Christ is “a minister of the true sanctuary” in heaven. – (v. 2). The fact that he sat down declares that his work is done. The fact that he sat down on the throne of God declares that he is able to save all for whom he died, whose interests he serves as God’s High Priest. And the fact that he sat down in heaven declares that his work has been accepted. – Hallelujah!
Be sure you do not miss this. – When he sat down in heaven, our Savior sat down as our Forerunner, and our Covenant Head; and we sat down in him (Eph. 2:4-7). He took possession of eternal salvation and all the glory of heaven in the name of his people, as our representative. That means that we entered into heaven and sat down with him. He entered into and took possession of heaven as our Forerunner. That means that we, for whom he entered in, shall also enter into heaven by him.
Our great High Priest, the Son of God in human flesh, ministers for us continually in the holy of holies, not on earth, but in heaven itself, in that holy place not made with hands, in the very presence of God (Heb. 9:24). This is the superiority of our Savior’s priestly ministry. Our great High Priest is interceding for us in heaven (Rom. 8:33-34). That is the work of a priest. He makes intercession; and the intercession of that Priest, who has been accepted in heaven for us, is infallibly effectual.
“The Father hears Him pray, His dear anointed One,
He cannot turn away The presence of His Son!”
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!