Webster’s Dictionary defines the word priest as one who officiates at the altar, or performs the rites of sacrifice; one who acts as a mediator between men and the divinity or the gods in any form of religion.
Central to the Israel’s culture at the time was worship in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, and crucial to this worship was the priesthood – beginning with Aaron and His sons.
We find in the book of Hebrews a description of what the priesthood is, similar to that found in the dictionary – In Hebrews 5:1 we read that every high priest is taken from among men and ordained for things pertaining to God – so that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins!
We find that every priest is ordained specifically to have compassion for those who are ignorant or out of the way, because they are compassed with their own infirmity – they are chosen to lead the people because they share that common ground – they are bound together by their own infirmities, by sympathy for each other. The high priest knows sin, and he realizes that he is not that much different from his people. (Hebrews 5:2-3)
The word of God also states – regarding priesthood – that no man takes the honor of priesthood upon himself, but is called – just as Aaron was. (Hebrews 5:4)
We find thus that Aaron – also a very important figure to the Jews at the time – was a high priest ordained for things pertaining to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for the sins of his people, but also for himself. I think it safe to assume that he had compassion for his people, for those who were ignorant and out of the way, and realized that he himself was a sinner called by God.
Jesus – like Aaron was established by God as the High Priest for His people. God said – Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee, and also it is said – Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Christ also, as the priestly function dictates – in the days of His flesh offered prayers and intercession for our sins and suffering – He offered strong crying and tears unto God – mighty to save from the bondage of death.
He was made perfect through suffering, and endured temptation – He bore our sins and iniquities, all our infirmities He took upon His shoulder. He tasted death for all mankind so that we could find in Him eternal life.
Through suffering He became perfect – being unblemished by the transgressions that had tore man from the arms of God.
In Hebrews 2:11: we read:
16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
David asks – who is man that You are mindful of him?
Christ took upon His shoulders the burdens of mankind, all our sins and all our disease – He took everything, and acted as mediator between man and God.
Coming in the likeness of sin, being made perfect through sufferings –through trial and tribulation – He acted as mediator between man and God – officiating at the altar, performing the only rite of true sacrifice – offering Himself for our sins, and not because we deserve His mercy or His grace, not because we are deserving in any way, but because of His unconditional compassion for the ignorant and out of the way.
Christ is our High Priest, after the order of Melchizedek, His priesthood being without beginning or end – His sacrifice eternally acceptable, He is our High Priest who has acted ONCE as intercessor between man and God.
Christ is our High Priest.