17/05/2026
KNOWING JESUS FOR MYSELF: THE OFFICES OF CHRIST - PRIEST.
PREACHER: DEACON JEROME UNUAFE
MAIN TEXTS:
HEBREWS 4: 14 - We have a great high priest who has gone to live with God in heaven. He is Jesus the Son of God. So let us continue to express our faith in him. 15 Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God's throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it. {ERV}
1 TIMOTHY 2:5- For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, {NKJV}
INTRODUCTION: Two weeks ago, we began to look at the offices of Jesus Christ, we said he occupied 3 main offices prophet, priest and king. We started out by considering His office as prophet and we saw Jesus not just as another prophet in the long line of prophets but that he is “the” prophet - the eternal message that revealed the True and complete nature of God. Today, we will continue in that line as we consider His office as PRIEST.
WHO IS A PRIEST?
Definition: A priest is a person appointed by God to stand before Him on behalf of the people and to represent God before the people. In Scripture, a priest serves as a mediator between God and man.
A priest in Scripture is "taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins" -HEBREWS 5:1.
WHAT IS THE NEED FOR A PRIEST?
The need for a priest arose because of the problem of sin and the separation it created between a holy God and sinful humanity.
In the Old Testament, the priest was a mediator between God and the people. The priest: Offered sacrifices for sins, Interceded for the people, Entered God’s presence on behalf of the nation, Represented God before men and men before God.
The ministry of the priest was extremely important because sinful man could not approach a holy God casually without dire consequences. But all the Old Testament priests were only shadows pointing to Jesus Christ — the perfect and eternal High Priest.
Today, Jesus occupies the office of a Priest perfectly, eternally, and powerfully.
HOW IS JESUS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER PRIESTS?
1. EARTHLY PRIESTS WERE SINNERS — JESUS WAS SINLESS
The Levitical priests were ordinary men with weaknesses and sins. Before offering sacrifices for the people, they first offered sacrifices for themselves but Jesus had no sin.
HEBREWS 7:26–27 (NKJV) “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens;
Difference: While the other priests needed cleansing, Jesus needed no cleansing because He was perfect.
2. OTHER PRIESTS OFFERED ANIMALS — JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF
Old Testament priests sacrificed goats, bulls, and lambs repeatedly. Jesus became both the Priest and the Sacrifice.
HEBREWS 9:12 (NKJV) “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Difference:
* Other priests offered animal blood.
* Jesus offered His own blood.
Imagine lining up in front of the church with pigeon, rams and cows with all the confusion.
3. OTHER PRIESTS OFFERED REPEATED SACRIFICES — JESUS OFFERED ONE PERFECT SACRIFICE
The sacrifices of earthly priests had to be repeated continually because they could not permanently remove sin. Jesus offered one sacrifice forever.
HEBREWS 10:11–12 (NKJV) “And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.”
Difference: Other priests repeated sacrifices daily. Jesus finished the work once and for all.
4. OTHER PRIESTS DIED — JESUS LIVES FOREVER
Earthly priests were temporary because death ended their ministry. Jesus has an eternal priesthood because He rose from the dead.
HEBREWS 7:23–24 (NKJV) “Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing.
But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.”
Difference: Other priests were replaced after death, Jesus remains Priest forever.
5. OTHER PRIESTS MINISTERED IN EARTHLY TABERNACLES — JESUS MINISTERS IN THE HEAVENLY TABERNACLE
The Old Testament priests served in physical temples made with hands.
Jesus ministers in the heavenly sanctuary.
HEBREWS 9:11 (NKJV) “But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands…”
Difference: Earthly priests served in temporary earthly places. Jesus ministers in the heavenly presence of God.
6. OTHER PRIESTS PROVIDED LIMITED ACCESS — JESUS GAVE DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD
Under the Old Covenant, only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Through Jesus, all believers now have bold access to God.
MATTHEW 27:51 (NKJV) “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…” HEBREWS 4:16 (NKJV) “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Difference: Other priests limited access. Jesus opened access to all believers.
7. OTHER PRIESTS WERE FROM THE ORDER OF AARON — JESUS IS OF THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
The Levitical priests came from Aaron’s lineage. Jesus belongs to a higher and eternal priesthood.
HEBREWS 7:17 (NKJV) “For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.’”
Difference: Aaron’s priesthood was temporary. Melchizedek’s order speaks of eternity and superiority.
A superior Priesthood has a superior blessing.
8. OTHER PRIESTHOOD MEDIATE THE OLD COVENANT WHILE CHRIST'S PRIESTHOOD MEDIATES THE NEW COVENANT.
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE?
Now that we know Jesus as our High priest, how should respond to him?
A. RECEIVE HIS SACRIFICE: Salvation comes only through Jesus. No church, tradition, or human effort can save.
Acts 4:12
We must personally trust His sacrifice.
B. COME BOLDLY TO GOD
HEBREWS 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace…”
Believers should not live in fear and condemnation. Because of Christ: Pray boldly, Worship confidently, Seek mercy freely.
C. LIVE A HOLY LIFE
Jesus shed His blood for us. We must not continue carelessly in sin.
1 Peter 1:15–16
Our lives should honor the sacrifice of Christ.
D. TRUST HIS INTERCESSION
Even in weakness:-Jesus is praying for you, -Jesus has not abandoned you.
Peter failed, but Jesus prayed for him.
Luke 22:31–32
Believers should remain confident in Christ.
E. OFFER YOURSELF TO GOD
Since Jesus became our Priest and sacrifice, believers should surrender themselves fully to God and living sacrifices.
Romans 12:1
We now become:
-Living sacrifices, -Worshippers, -Servants of God.
F. TOTALLY BELIEVE AND TRUST IN HIM.
Jesus is the only mediator between God and man. We must place our faith completely in His finished work.
“Let us hold fast our profession.” — Hebrews 4:14
We do not depend on animal sacrifices, rituals, or human righteousness anymore, but on Christ alone.
G. OFFER SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES.
Though animal sacrifices have ended, believers still offer sacrifices unto God:
Sacrifice of praise, Worship, Obedience, Giving, Service, Broken and contrite hearts
“Offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually...” — Hebrews 13:15
H. WORSHIP WITH GRATITUDE.
The priesthood of Jesus brought redemption, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Our lives should therefore be marked by thanksgiving and worship.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” — Psalm 103:2
I. SERVE AS ROYAL PRIESTS.
Through Christ, believers are now called into a royal priesthood.
“Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood...” — 1 PETER 2:9
This means: -Representing God before men. -Interceding for others. -Living as ambassadors of Christ, -Ministering unto the Lord.
J. REMAIN STEADFAST.
Jesus continually intercedes for us, therefore we should remain faithful and not draw back.
“He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him...” — Hebrews 7:25
Even in weakness, we can rely on His intercession.
CONCLUSION: In overall, the Priesthood of Jesus has brought us into a New and lasting covenant which avails us a better and higher life. We need to walk in consciousness of this covenant. We should approach Him boldly as sons and co-heirs with Christ.
