Heb.3:1 Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession: Jesus;
Jesus is the very focus of the law and the prophets. The two important figures in establishing the law were Moses and Aaron. Moses functioned as the apostle of the Old Testament as the founder and chief authority in His church. Aaron functioned as the mediator, the priest that brought God’s people into His presence. The author of Hebrews is again showing the superiority of Christ. Jesus is the Apostle of the New Covenant which is based on better promises. Jesus is also the high priest. Aaron pointed to the Lord in types and shadows, Christ alone is the substance who brings us to God. Here is how Murray describes this verse.
“Moses and Aaron together represented God in Israel; the one as apostle or messenger, the other as high priest in the person of Jesus the two offices are united. As High Priest He is merciful as Aaron; as Apostle of our profession He is faithful as Moses. Moses was the great apostle or messenger of God, the Old Testament type of Christ as prophet. He had access to God, and brought the word of God to the people. Christ is the great Apostle or Prophet of the New Covenant. He ever spake of Himself as the one whom the Father had sent; in Him, the Son, God speaks to us. As Apostle He is God’s Representative with us, making God known to us; as High Priest, our Representative with God, bringing us into His presence. As High Priest He stands linked to us by His mercy and compassion, as He now, having died for us, helps us in our temptation and weakness; as Apostle He pleads for God with us, and proves Himself entirely faithful to Him.”
Even in the New Testament we see people getting off track by looking to God’s servants rather than Christ Himself. In 1 Corinthians Paul dealt with the problem of spiritual immaturity displayed by members of the church who were looking to Peter, Apollos, or even Paul. These too were only part of the house, we must set our gaze upon the builder of the house, not the house itself. The Lord uses men and women of God to equip us. There have been several men instrumental in my life influencing and teaching me the ways of the Lord. After everything is said and done I am brought back to what is important, consider Jesus the Apostle and High Priest of our confession.
1 thought on “APOSTLE AND HIGH PRIEST”
This is the elephant in the room so to speak. Here in southeast Louisiana, there is a good chance you were raised Catholic. I believe the Catholic Church is among those referred to in Revelation and is part of the Body of Christ. I can remember hearing for the first time at 21 “no-one comes to the Father except through Jesus” I must say that bothered me greatly as I thought through the why’s of teachings that say differently. There is a harvest growing right here where we live, like I was, ripe for a relationship with Jesus.