The High Priest

Now the main point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven.

Hebrews 8:1 (NIV)

In the Old Testament, priests were charged with appearing before God on behalf of the people. They were to offer sacrifices for their family members, for themselves, and then for the people. This is what the Bible calls the sin offering. It is important to understand one thing: if the priests had to offer sacrifices for themselves, it meant that they were no holier than the people. It may even have been that some members of the people were more pious than they were.

The sin offering consists of offering an animal to God for the forgiveness of sins. It was an annual sacrifice that the people of Israel were to honor for their own good. Through His death on the cross, Jesus reversed this process. Today, we, His followers, no longer need to turn to a sinner like us, who must also offer sacrifices for himself, to intercede on our behalf. Christ, our High Priest, who did not sin, took upon Himself the condemnation our sins demanded. Being Himself a sacrifice, He no longer needs to offer an animal to God.

After explaining the privilege we have in Christ and His role as High Priest, the author reinforces his argument by stating that we have a priest, Jesus Christ, who intercedes for us before God. He does not do so in a private place, out of sight; He is seated at the right hand of God. This means that His intercession on our behalf is continual and unceasing. Jesus Christ knows your weaknesses and faults; if He died for you, He will ensure that His death covers all your sins before the Father and that His grace is always with you.

May the grace and peace of God be with you all.