The priesthood of Christ is
the ongoing ministry of Jesus
as the perfect and eternal
High Priest of His people.
Unlike the Levitical priests
who were many, mortal, and sinful,
Jesus holds His priesthood permanently
by the power of an indestructible life.
He offered Himself once for all
as the perfect sacrifice
and now lives to intercede for
those who draw near to God through Him.
The book of Hebrews is the primary New Testament source for understanding Christ’s priesthood:
“We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God… For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14-15)
“The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’” (Hebrews 7:21, quoting Psalm 110:4)
Jesus is both the priest and the sacrifice. His priesthood is superior to the Aaronic priesthood in every way.
Christ’s priesthood is unique and perfect for several reasons:
Because Jesus is our High Priest, believers enjoy:
The priesthood of Christ is one of the most comforting truths in the New Testament. Believers do not approach God through an earthly priest or repeated sacrifices, but through the living, sinless, and eternal High Priest who has already offered the perfect sacrifice and now continually intercedes for them. Because He is their High Priest, they can draw near with confidence and rest in the full assurance of His finished and ongoing work.
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