Theology Thursday
Q. 25. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
I get called a priest all the time. People who don’t know me very well but know that I work for a Church sometimes call me that. Not my favourite title. But it’s because no one really knows what I do, and they don’t really know what a priest is! So, what does it mean that Christ executeth the office of a priest?
Hebrews 5:1 says, Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
That’s the role of the High Priest of Israel. They offer sacrifices for sins on behalf of the people. It was only the High Priest who could enter the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place) in the Temple to make the sacrifice of a lamb on the ‘Mercy Seat’ of the Ark of the Covenant and thereby make atonement for the sins of Israel.
But now, as the Catechism reminds us and as Hebrews will so helpfully unpack, we have a new High Priest who offers the ultimate sacrificial lamb - Himself. Unlike other High Priests, Jesus had no need to offer sacrifices for His own sin. Instead, His offering is worthy and sufficient to atone for all the sins of all God’s people past, present and future.
And now, Jesus has entered the Most Most Holy Place of God’s throne room in heaven where He continues to intercede for us → claiming those who are His and in some sense reminding the Father of their forgiveness.
Therefore, we no longer need any earthly High Priests, instead we are commissioned to be priests of God. Not just pastors. All Christians. Not in the sense that we need to make atonement for ourselves or anyone else. But in that we now offer as 1 Peter says ‘spiritual sacrifices’ to God in response to what we have received in Christ.
For Today:
Pray:
Passages: Hebrews 2:17-10:14, Revelation 20:6, 1 Peter 2:4-5
A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God, and in making continual intercession for us.
Westminster Shorter Catechism
I get called a priest all the time. People who don’t know me very well but know that I work for a Church sometimes call me that. Not my favourite title. But it’s because no one really knows what I do, and they don’t really know what a priest is! So, what does it mean that Christ executeth the office of a priest?
Hebrews 5:1 says, Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
That’s the role of the High Priest of Israel. They offer sacrifices for sins on behalf of the people. It was only the High Priest who could enter the Holy of Holies (or the Most Holy Place) in the Temple to make the sacrifice of a lamb on the ‘Mercy Seat’ of the Ark of the Covenant and thereby make atonement for the sins of Israel.
But now, as the Catechism reminds us and as Hebrews will so helpfully unpack, we have a new High Priest who offers the ultimate sacrificial lamb - Himself. Unlike other High Priests, Jesus had no need to offer sacrifices for His own sin. Instead, His offering is worthy and sufficient to atone for all the sins of all God’s people past, present and future.
And now, Jesus has entered the Most Most Holy Place of God’s throne room in heaven where He continues to intercede for us → claiming those who are His and in some sense reminding the Father of their forgiveness.
Therefore, we no longer need any earthly High Priests, instead we are commissioned to be priests of God. Not just pastors. All Christians. Not in the sense that we need to make atonement for ourselves or anyone else. But in that we now offer as 1 Peter says ‘spiritual sacrifices’ to God in response to what we have received in Christ.
For Today:
- What sin do you need to confess to God today?
- Do you see yourself as a priest?
- What might it look like to offer spiritual sacrifices to God this week?
Pray:
- Praise God, the Father for His mercy and justice in Christ.
- Give thanks for Jesus who intercedes for us.
- Ask God for His Holy Spirit to help you and others offer spiritual sacrifices to God.
Passages: Hebrews 2:17-10:14, Revelation 20:6, 1 Peter 2:4-5
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