PRIEST
PRIEST
The Role of the Priest
In Israel, the roles of prophet, priest, and king were significant, with each office holding unique responsibilities. While kings governed as God's representatives, priests served as intermediaries between the people and God, offering sacrifices, prayers, and praise on behalf of the community.
Aaron, Moses’ brother, was the first Jewish priest, establishing a lineage of priests drawn from his descendants. Over time, Jewish worship became centralized in the Jerusalem temple, focusing on offering sacrifices in accordance with the Mosaic law. The priest's primary duty involved making sacrifices for his own sins and those of the people.
The priesthood was organized into three groups:
- Levites: Occupying the lowest position, they took care of the temple service.
- Ordinary Priests: Only these priests could offer sacrifices.
- High Priest: The highest authority, the high priest alone could enter the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement. His garments, including the ephod, had stones inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes, symbolizing his role of bearing the people into God’s presence.
In the New Testament, Jesus is identified as a priest in the order of Melchizedek—a figure who predates the Levitical priesthood, suggesting that Jesus’ priesthood is both different and superior. The book of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus as our High Priest, possibly addressing priests who believed after the resurrection. The Greek term for priest is hierus.
Jesus serves as our great High Priest, bearing us into God's presence through his self-sacrifice. As believers, we become part of a kingdom of priests, empowered to offer ourselves on behalf of others.
Praying to Our Priest
Imagine you’ve taken out a mortgage for a beautiful house that you cannot afford. The seller demands something far more valuable than money—your life. You agree to pay twenty thousand dollars a year to live in the house, but no matter how much you pay, the debt can only be settled with your life.
This serves as an analogy for our state before Christ. Our sins created a debt we could never repay, for as Scripture states, “the payment for sin is death” (Romans 6:23). The Jewish observance of Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, was a way to address this debt. On this day, the sins of the nation were symbolically placed on a scapegoat, which was then driven into the wilderness. The high priest would also enter the Most Holy Place, representing the people before God and seeking forgiveness for their sins. However, since animal sacrifices could only provide partial forgiveness, this ceremony had to be repeated annually.
To resolve this ongoing situation, God sent his Son, Jesus, who paid our insurmountable debt with the currency of his perfect life. Jesus is the only High Priest who can truly bring us into God’s presence, fully erasing our debt.
Jesus, you are the High Priest who understands my weaknesses. Though tempted in every way, you remain without sin. Help me approach your throne of grace with confidence. May I offer prayer and praise for others, carrying them into your presence.
Promises Associated with the Name
“There was a long succession of priests because when a priest died, he could no longer serve. But Yeshua lives forever, so he serves as a priest forever. That is why he is always able to save those who come to God through him. He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.”
— Hebrews 7:23-25
“However, you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, people who belong to God. You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
— 1 Peter 2:9
Reflection
The title Priest highlights Jesus' role as our intercessor and mediator. Through his self-sacrifice, he has removed the barrier between us and God, allowing us to approach Him with confidence. As part of a royal priesthood, we are called to reflect God's excellence, share his light, and bear others into His presence.
May we recognize the profound implications of Jesus as our High Priest and embrace our calling to be conduits of grace and truth in the world. Through prayer and intercession, let us carry the burdens of others before God, fostering a community that mirrors Christ’s love and mercy.
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