A Pastor’s Perspective

“My High Priest” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

Playing video games at night in a bad part of town is not a good idea.  The part of San Diego I chose to play “Street Fighter” was a notorious area with gangs who did just that—fight in the streets.  Was I aware of this?  Yes.  Was I the least bit afraid?  No.  I was with someone who happened to teach others self-defense and how to fight for real.  And he was my friend.  I figured if we got into any trouble, he’d stick up for me. 

The realization that I’m in the presence of a holy God can be a knee-shaking experience.  God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.  I slip in the dark at times.  He’s perfect.  I’m not.  So, the natural and healthy response is to fear Him.  I “fear” God in the sense that I revere Him.  But I discovered I need not be “afraid” of Him.  Why not?  Jesus sticks up for me.  Even when I blow it.  Others might bail out, but Jesus is there for me.  “…If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1John 2:1b).  He’s my Advocate.  Like a defense attorney, He pleads my case.  Unlike a defense attorney, He has already paid my bill.  And, as my High Priest, He continually makes intercession for me.

A priest, in the biblical sense, is someone who represented the people before God.  God chose the tribe of Aaron for the priesthood a.k.a. the Levitical priesthood.   However, according to God’s Word, this priesthood was only to be temporary.  Why?  The animal sacrifices they offered could never take away sins.  The priests themselves were sinful.  The role of the priest was limited to the length of their lives.  Therefore, the priesthood after the order of Aaron was not perfect.  It was done away with and replaced by an unchangeable priesthood with a sinless priest who has no beginning nor end.  Only one Person could fit the role, Jesus, who is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Read Hebrews 7-10).

When I was younger, I was taught to confess my sins to an earthly priest.  He would then make sure I would be made right with God.  I’ve discovered that was nonfunctional and unnecessary.  Since Jesus is my High Priest, I can go directly to Him.  He’s compassionate.  He understands my weaknesses.  He faced all of the same temptations I am confronted with, yet He did not sin.  Therefore, the Bible encourages me to, “…Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). 

Life may assault me with Goliath challenges and difficulties.  With Jesus as my High Priest, I need not be afraid.  He will supply me with the mercy and grace to help me when I cry out to Him.  And, if God is for me, who can be against me?  Who can condemn me?  As Paul exulted,“Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” (Romans 8:34).

Is Jesus your Advocate?  You won’t have to pay exorbitant lawyer fees to retain His service.  He paid the price for your sins on the Cross.  Is He your High Priest?  You don’t have to join a church to release His power and authority in your life.  Link up with Him through faith—and He will daily intercede for you to Almighty God (cf. Hebrews 7:25).