Can You Earn Your Way to God?  

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” – Hebrews 4:14

For centuries, the high priest was central to Israel’s relationship with God. He served as the mediator between sinful people and a holy God, offering sacrifices for atonement. But what happens when Jesus steps into that role—not just as a high priest, but as the Great High Priest?

In this section of Hebrews, we are introduced to the very important concept of Jesus Christ as our “great high priest.” For the ancient Jews who had a priest, this was a rather easy connection to make. For those of us today who are Gentiles, as well as Jews who today do not have a high priest, making that connection takes a bit of study in the Old Testament to fully appreciate.

A Bible encyclopedia says: “Aaron, the brother of Moses, had been traditionally called the first high priest (Lev. 21:10; Nu. 35:25, 28; Ezr. 7:1–5). Only those of the line of the eldest descendants of Aaron could serve as high priest, and a man’s position in the hierarchy of holiness and cult was determined from birth. In Nu. 25:10–13 the descendants of Phinehas (Aaron’s grandson) are promised a “covenant of eternal priesthood,” which apparently refers to a right to the office of high priest.” (1)

It goes on to explain: “The primary function of the high priest was to administer and direct the sacrificial system. He alone was allowed to go behind the veil of the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:2). He dealt with the sin offerings whose blood was brought into the sanctuary of the temple (Lev. 4:3–21). The high priest’s responsibilities included all the sacrificial activities that took place inside the temple, either with his direct involvement or under his supervision.” (2)

Jesus is not just another high priest—He is the final and perfect one. Unlike the priests of old, He didn’t offer sacrifices for His own sin, nor did He need to repeat them year after year. Instead, He offered Himself once and for all as the ultimate sacrifice. Because of Him, the veil is torn, access to God is open, and salvation is complete.

Are you resting in His finished work, or are you still trying to earn your way to God?

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