1. The Role of the High Priest in the Old Testament
The high priest was the chief religious leader of Israel. He alone could enter the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the tabernacle and temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. He entered only once per year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). He wore special garments: the ephod, the breastplate with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes, the robe, the turban, and the crown of gold inscribed "Holiness to the Lord." He offered sacrifices for his own sins and for the sins of the people. He was a mediator between God and Israel.
2. The High Priest Had to Be Chosen by God
No man could take this honor upon himself. The high priest was called by God, just as Aaron was called. Aaron was chosen by God through Moses. His sons were appointed to serve as priests. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes this divine calling: "And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was." Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest. The Father said to Him, "You are My Son, today I have begotten You" and "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Christ's priesthood is not self-appointed; it is divinely ordained.
3. The High Priest Was Chosen from Among Men
The high priest had to be a man, taken from among the people. He was not an angel. He was a human being who shared the same nature, weaknesses, and temptations as those he represented. This enabled him to have compassion on the ignorant and those going astray. Hebrews declares, "For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God." Christ, likewise, took on human nature. He was made like His brothers in every respect, yet without sin. He can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was tempted as we are.
4. The High Priest Offered Sacrifices for Sins
The primary duty of the high priest was to offer sacrifices. On the Day of Atonement, he first offered a bull for his own sins. Then he took two goats: one was sacrificed, and its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat; the other was the scapegoat, sent into the wilderness bearing the sins of the people. The writer of Hebrews explains that these sacrifices could not take away sins. They were shadows pointing to the perfect sacrifice. Christ, the High Priest, offered Himself once for all. He had no sin of His own to atone for, so He offered Himself without spot to God.
5. The High Priest Entered the Holy of Holies with Blood
Once per year, the high priest entered the Holy of Holies with the blood of the sacrifice. He sprinkled the blood on the mercy seat seven times. No one else could enter. This was the most sacred act of the Old Testament worship. The writer of Hebrews declares that this was a shadow of the heavenly reality. Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with hands, which is a copy of the true, but heaven itself. He entered once for all with His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The earthly Holy of Holies was a type; the heavenly is the reality.
6. The High Priest Wore the Names of Israel on His Breastplate
The high priest's breastplate contained twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel. He bore the names of the people on his heart before the Lord. He represented them not only in his actions but also in his very garments. This is a type of Christ, who bears His people on His heart. He carries their names before the Father. He ever lives to make intercession for them. He does not forget them. He holds them close in His priestly love.
7. The High Priest Was Imperfect and Died
The Old Testament high priests were sinners. They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins first. They grew old and died. When a high priest died, another was appointed in his place. The priesthood could not be passed down by inheritance in perpetuity because death interrupted the service. This was a weakness of the Aaronic priesthood. Christ, however, is sinless and has no need to offer for His own sins. He died once, but He rose again and lives forever. His priesthood is eternal and unchangeable.
8. Christ as High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek
Jesus is not a high priest after the order of Aaron. He is from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. The tribe of Levi was not authorized to serve as priests under the Mosaic law. Therefore, Christ's priesthood is based on a different order: the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He had no recorded genealogy, no beginning or end of days, making him a type of the eternal priesthood of Christ. David prophesied in Psalm 110, "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek." Christ's priesthood is superior to Aaron's because it is eternal.
9. Christ's Priesthood Is Superior in Every Way
The writer of Hebrews lists the ways Christ is superior. Aaron's priests were many because death prevented them from continuing. Christ is one and lives forever. Aaron's priests offered repeated sacrifices that could never take away sins. Christ offered one sacrifice once for all. Aaron's priests offered the blood of bulls and goats. Christ offered His own blood. Aaron's priests entered an earthly sanctuary made with hands. Christ entered heaven itself. Aaron's priests could not perfect the conscience of the worshiper. Christ cleanses the conscience completely. Christ is the better high priest.
10. The Believer's Response: Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace
Because Jesus is our Great High Priest, believers have boldness to enter the Holy of Holies. Hebrews declares, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The veil is torn. The way is open. Let every believer come to the throne through the Great High Priest.
Conclusion
The high priest of the Old Testament was a divinely appointed type of Jesus Christ. He represented the people, offered sacrifices, and entered the Holy of Holies with blood. But he was imperfect and died. Christ is the Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. He is sinless, eternal, and has offered Himself once for all. He has entered heaven with His own blood and ever lives to intercede for His people. Let every believer draw near to the throne of grace through Jesus, our Great High Priest.