Jesus Christ, as high priest

Jesus Christ, being a truly human high priest, perfectly represents humanity before God. He made atonement for sins by his own sacrificial death. Being a truly divine high priest, this act of Christ's was perfect, once for all and of eternal value.

The ministry of Jesus Christ as high priest

He made atonement for sin

Hebrews 2:17 See also Hebrews 8:3, Hebrews 9:7, Hebrews 9:11–12, Hebrews 13:11–13

For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.

He represents human beings before God

Hebrews 5:1 See also Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1–2

Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

He entered the Most Holy Place

Hebrews 9:24 On the Day of Atonement the high priest entered the Most Holy Place (the sanctuary) which represented the presence of God. Jesus Christ fulfilled this ritual by entering heaven. See also Hebrews 4:14, Hebrews 6:19–20, Hebrews 9:7, Hebrews 9:12

For Christ did not enter a man-made copy of the true sanctuary, but He entered heaven itself, now to appear on our behalf in the presence of God.

He makes believers perfect

Hebrews 10:14 See also Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 13:12

because by a single offering He has made perfect for all time those who are being sanctified.

He brings believers close to God

Hebrews 10:19–22

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

He helps those being tempted

Hebrews 2:18 See also Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 5:2

Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

He intercedes continually

Hebrews 7:24–25 See also John 17:20; Romans 8:34

But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Jesus Christ, the human high priest

As a man he is able to represent human beings

Hebrews 2:17 See also Hebrews 5:1

For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people.

He is divinely appointed

Hebrews 5:5–6 See also Hebrews 3:1–2

So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.” And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus Christ, the divine high priest

He is sinless

Hebrews 7:26–27 Jesus Christ is strongly contrasted with other high priests because he did not have to offer sacrifices for his own sins.

Such a high priest truly befits us — One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.

He is eternal

Hebrews 6:20 See also Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 7:17, Hebrews 7:21, Hebrews 7:28

where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.

His atoning work was completed once for all

Hebrews 7:27 Other high priests had to repeat their sacrifices. See also Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:25–26, Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:10

Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself.

He is exalted

Hebrews 8:1 See also Zechariah 6:13; Hebrews 7:26

The 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,

Jesus Christ's high priesthood was of the order of Melchizedek

Hebrews 6:20 The priesthood of Melchizedek resembles that of Jesus Christ because he too was king and had neither beginning nor end. See also Psalm 110:4; Hebrews 5:6, Hebrews 5:10, Hebrews 7:1–4, Hebrews 7:14–17