We are admonished to consider the High Priest Hebrews has just defined in Chapter 1 and 2. This will not be the first time that we are reminded to do so in Hebrews. The points of chapter 1 and 2 are obviously extremely important in two senses. Firstly we must accept that God, in Christ, took sinful flesh upon His own divine nature in order to be perfect a way of atonement for man, and bring him into harmony with the law of God. Any other flesh or method would not suffice for we trust and have scriptural testimony that God did what was necessary. (Hebrews 2, Romans 8:3). Secondly we must believe that Jesus is now ministering until He returns. The book of Revelation also reveals Christ as ministering in the first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary during John's day around 90 AD. (Revelation, chapters 1 and 2). Later we will see that He finishes the work for man in the second compartment or phase of the High Priest Ministry which is the beginning of the judgment and sealing up of God's church at the end of time.
The great irony is that much of the professed Christian church considers that Christ has long since finished His high priestly ministry because, some say, "the day of atonement was at His crucifixion". Christ has made atonement at the cross but this is distinct from the day of atonement prefigured in the sanctuary The day of atonement is a final examination of the professors of Christ foretold by Jesus in the parable where the guests are examined to see if they have on the wedding garment. (see Matthew 22:11).
Many now depict Jesus as king. In order to lay aside the Holy law of God as many have done, or simply to diminish its importance, this idea that His priestly ministry is already over has been adopted. It would imply that there is no judgment for Christians for it has all past at the cross. Our salvation is sealed and we cannot be lost by anything we may do. This is a terrible distortion coming out of Calvinism and it has many related variants.
But such folly need have no place with those who read the Bible as its own expositor. According to Hebrews and Revelation Christ is still ministering for us as High Priest and seeking help those who are tempted to overcome and walk in His ways. Salvation remains under condition of obedience. This is not salvation by works but rather salvation that bears works. It is the fruit of Christ's labor. He is there to minister repentance, if we fail, in order to help up recover and walk uprightly. He will remain in that role until just before He returns to earth to take His people with Him, thus He admonishes us to "be faithful unto death". Revelation 2:10. "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved". Matthew 24;13. We are in a saving relationship now by faith but we are admonished to hold unto that salvation by faithfulness in Christ. Romans 2 clearly reveals this truth. He will come then as King when the judgment of those professing Christ is complete. "We shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ" says Paul. The guests at the wedding must be examined to see if they are wearing the wedding garment. Profession of Christ will mean nothing if the guest has not actually worn the way of Christ, which is to keep the law of God. "Here are the that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus." Revelation 14:12.
What is it then we are to consider about our High Priest? He is able to help us because He has championed our escape as a brother. The blood He pleads before the Father is His human blood, testifying that a way of restoration was successfully made, for it is innocent blood, the only innocent blood for the whole human race. This is what the blood of Christ means to us. It is the testimony not only of the sacrificial love of God, not only of the payment for sin, but it testifies that humanity yoked with divinity in Christ is in harmony with the divine law. All who truly accept this High Priest accept, not only that they are pardoned, but believe also that they may now walk with the supernatural aid of that perfect life power of Jesus and keep the Law of God by faith. Praise the God of love for providing our way in Christ!
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