“Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession…” – Hebrews 3:1
In this packed section of Scripture (Hebrews 3:1-6), we are reminded of several offices Jesus Christ holds that benefit us as believers.
One, Jesus is our “apostle.” In the ancient world, an apostle or messenger was sent out from a King with full authority to speak and lead on his behalf. When sent to the earth by God the Father, Jesus Christ served as the perfect messenger and representative of the Kingdom of God. Practically, this means that He has unmatched authority.
Two, Jesus is our “high priest.” As we have previously established in this study, this reveals Jesus as the compassionate connector between us and God the Father.
Three, Jesus is the “Son” of God. Because Jesus is eternal and without an earthly father, the concept of Him as the Divine Son has nothing to do with a biological connection as is common with human fathers and sons. In the ancient world, the concept of a King with a son meant that the authority, dominion, power, and possessions belonged to the household with the son as rightful owner and heir. A Bible Dictionary says,
In Hebrews, Jesus is “the Son,” who is God’s “firstborn” and personal “heir,” who is creator and sustainer of the universe, and who is the “radiance of God’s glory” (Heb 1:2–12; 3:6; 5:5). As the Son, he is the final and eternal High Priest who ascended to heaven and whose mediatorial work remains perfect forever (4:14; 6:6; 7:3, 28). (1)
How are you growing to better understand Jesus as your High Priest who is right now interceding for you in prayer and cares for you?
(1) Walter A. Elwell and Philip Wesley Comfort, Tyndale Bible Dictionary, Tyndale Reference Library (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), 1214.
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