From Lamb to Priest

"You’re probably familiar with the events of Jesus’ last week: 

the Passover supper, 

His trial, 

His crucifixion 

and burial, 

and the triumphant resurrection on Sunday morning. 

And then the story takes a fascinating turn. The sanctuary service, from beginning to end, was a metaphor for God’s plan of salvation. When Jesus rose into heaven, He took on a new role. Having fulfilled the function of the Lamb, He became our Priest. The book of Hebrews explains Jesus’ role as our heavenly Priest.

• Jesus became our Priest when He returned to heaven: “We have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God” (Hebrews 4:14).
• The sanctuary rites that were symbolic on this earth are a reality in heaven, where Jesus serves on our behalf “at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3).
• Jesus’ sacrifice qualified Him to be our Priest. “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).
• Jesus’ experience as a human qualifies him to speak on our behalf: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).
• Jesus’ priesthood makes it possible for us to ask God for forgiveness, with the assurance that we will receive it. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
• Jesus is our continuing advocate in heaven, speaking directly to God on our behalf: “He entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence” (Hebrews 9:24)." SignsOfTheTimes