Westminster Larger Catechism Q&A 46
Q. 46. How does Christ execute the office of a priest?
A. Christ executes the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be a reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.
Devotional
Title: Christ Our Great High Priest
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 7:25-27 (ESV)
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”
In the Old Testament, the role of the priest was central to the worship and spiritual life of Israel. Priests offered sacrifices for the sins of the people and interceded on their behalf before God. These duties were shadows pointing forward to the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills and surpasses the priestly role. Understanding Christ’s priestly office can deepen our appreciation for His work and strengthen our faith.
A Perfect Sacrifice
One of the key aspects of Christ’s priestly work is His offering of Himself as a sacrifice without spot to God. Unlike the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament, which had to be repeated continually, Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all. Hebrews 9:12 tells us, “He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Jesus’ sacrifice is perfect because He is perfect. He is holy, innocent, unstained, and separated from sinners. His sinlessness made Him the only suitable offering to reconcile us to God. As both the High Priest and the sacrificial Lamb, Jesus fulfills the requirements of the Law and bears the penalty for our sins. This one-time, perfect sacrifice achieves what the Old Testament sacrifices could never accomplish—complete atonement for our sins.
Continual Intercession
Christ’s priestly work did not end with His sacrificial death. He continues to execute His office by making continual intercession for His people. Hebrews 7:25 reassures us, “He always lives to make intercession for them.” This ongoing intercession means that Jesus is continually advocating for us before the Father, applying the benefits of His sacrifice to our lives.
Jesus’ intercession is not like the prayers of human priests who offered sacrifices daily. His is a powerful, effective advocacy grounded in His finished work on the cross. Romans 8:34 affirms, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”
Application: Rest and Confidence
Understanding Christ’s role as our High Priest should lead us to rest and confidence in His finished work and ongoing intercession. We can rest because His sacrifice is sufficient to cover all our sins—past, present, and future. There is nothing we can add to His perfect atonement. We are fully accepted and forgiven in Him.
We can also live with confidence because Jesus is continually interceding for us. When we face trials, temptations, and the accusations of the enemy, we can trust that Jesus is advocating for us. He understands our weaknesses and stands ready to provide grace and mercy in our time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Consider These Questions:
- Do you rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice? Reflect on the completeness of His atonement and resist the temptation to rely on your own efforts for acceptance with God.
- How does knowing that Jesus is interceding for you impact your daily life? Allow this truth to give you confidence and hope, especially in times of struggle and failure.
- Are you drawing near to God through Christ your High Priest? Make it a habit to approach God in prayer, trusting in Jesus’ mediation and intercession.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank You for being our perfect High Priest, offering Yourself as a spotless sacrifice for our sins and continually interceding for us. Help us to rest in Your finished work and live confidently in Your ongoing advocacy. Strengthen our faith and draw us closer to You each day. May we live in the light of Your priestly ministry, trusting in Your grace and mercy. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.
May this devotional enrich your understanding of Christ’s priestly office and draw you closer to Him in faith and reliance on His perfect work.