The Present Priestly Ministry of Christ

In our Christian sub-culture, we have drifted further and further away from our Jewish roots.  The apostle Paul says in Romans 2:29, that a "Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter."  All Christ followers are in a spiritual sense children of Abraham, as Jesus himself testified, "Salvation is from the Jews." (John 4:22)

As I am studying the book of Hebrews, this "drift" is evidenced in my lack of understanding and appreciation for how Jesus is superior to Moses and the Old Covenant Priesthood.  I have to be intentional in my study or I will miss the majesty and beauty of Christ Jesus - our high priest, "who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man." (Hebrews 8:1, 2)

Many times when I'm examining the role of Christ and his ministry, I focus on his redemptive, atoning work on the cross for salvation - which is not a bad thing to focus on:)  This morning in Hebrews 8, I was struck by his present ministry to the church as our only access in worship to God. 

Jesus is called a minister in Hebrews 8:2.  The greek word for minister, leitourgos, is where we get the English word liturgy - which can mean the different parts of the worship service, or further back in church history was understood as the "work of the people."  Jesus is our chief worship leader.  In Hebrews 2:12, the writer quotes Psalm 22:22, picturing Jesus in the midst of the congregation singing the praises of God.

In Hebrews 8:3, the writer reminds us what every high priest in the Old Testament was required to do: offer gifts and sacrifices.  John MacArthur in his commentary on Hebrews says, "Gifts referred to meal offerings and sacrifices to blood offerings.  The gift offerings were given to represent personal dedication, commitment, and thanksgiving to the Lord.  The blood offerings, on the other hand, were for cleansing from sin."  

As the Hebrew writer reminds us, "[Jesus] has no need...to offer sacrifices daily...since he did this once for all when he offered up himself." (7:27) The work of Christ as a priest and minister in offering the ultimate sacrifice for sin is finished - Jesus has completed his work and now sits at the right hand of God.  But his work as a priest and minister offering gifts continues.  Hebrews 7:25 says that Jesus is able to save at all times (or completely) those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.  

Jesus, through his very present intercession and continued work as my high priest, enables me to: praise, thank, commit, serve and worship God.  Not only enables me, but allows these gifts to be acceptable to God as worship because of faith in him.  Because of Christ's continued ministry and priestly service, I can draw near to his throne of grace and receive mercy and grace in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16) 

As the great hymn writer Isaac Watts rejoices:

Jesus, my great High Priest, 

offered his blood and died;

my guilty conscience seeks 

no sacrifice beside.

His pow'rful blood did once atone, 

and now it pleads before the throne.