How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?
Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering himself a sacrifice without spot to God, to be reconciliation for the sins of his people; and in making continual intercession for them.
Christ as Priest: The Perfect Sacrifice and Intercessor
The office of a priest is multifaceted, encompassing roles of sacrifice, mediation, and intercession. In the Christian faith, Jesus Christ fulfills the priestly office in a way that surpasses all human priests and rituals. His priesthood is characterized by a single, perfect sacrifice and ongoing intercession for His people.
Hebrews 9:14 (NASB) emphasizes the unique nature of Christ’s sacrifice: “how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” This verse highlights the efficacy of Christ’s blood, shed as a sacrifice to cleanse believers from sin and enable them to serve God.
Unlike the Old Testament priests who offered repeated sacrifices, Christ’s sacrifice was offered once for all. Hebrews 9:28 (NASB) states, “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.” This verse underscores the finality and sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, eliminating the need for any further offerings.
Christ’s ability to offer a perfect sacrifice stems from His sinless nature and identification with humanity. Hebrews 2:17 (NASB) explains that “He had to be made like His brothers in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” This verse highlights Christ’s empathy and understanding of human struggles, enabling Him to intercede effectively on behalf of believers.
The Westminster Confession of Faith articulates the significance of Christ’s priestly work: “Christ, by His obedience and death, did fully discharge the debt of all those that are thus justified, and did make a proper, real, and full satisfaction to His Father’s justice in their behalf.” This statement emphasizes the substitutionary nature of Christ’s sacrifice, where He paid the penalty for sin on behalf of His people, satisfying God’s justice and securing their redemption.
Christ’s priestly ministry extends beyond His sacrifice on the cross. He continues to intercede for believers in the presence of the Father. Hebrews 7:25 (NASB) assures believers that “He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” This ongoing intercession guarantees that believers have constant access to God’s grace and mercy.
Dr Ridderbos states, “Christ is the means of propitiation appointed by God to the manifestation of his deferred righteousness. In Christ’s death the righteousness of God thus reveals itself in the demanding and vindicatory sense of the word. His blood as atoning blood covers the sin which God until now had passed over, when as yet he kept back the judgment. All that men wish to detract from the real character of Christ’s propitiatory death signifies a devaluation of the language of Romans 3:25 and 26, which is unmistakable in its clarity.” This statement aligns with the biblical understanding of Christ’s priestly role, where His sacrifice appeases God’s wrath against sin and demonstrates His righteousness.
In conclusion, Christ’s execution of the priestly office is marked by His perfect sacrifice and ongoing intercession. His sacrifice satisfied God’s justice, cleansed believers from sin, and reconciled them to God. His intercession ensures that believers have continued access to God’s grace and mercy. Through faith in Christ, individuals can experience the fullness of God’s forgiveness and enjoy an eternal relationship with Him.
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