Our Great High Priest
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class opened with a review of Numbers chapter 3 and a reminder of the previous lesson on fixing our thoughts on Jesus, as urged in Hebrews chapter 3. Richard Sutton explained that to understand Jesus’ high‑priestly role, one must first grasp the Old Testament duties of the Levites and the special office of the high priest from Aaron’s lineage. He cited passages from Numbers, Leviticus 10 and 16, describing the extensive responsibilities, vestments, and the annual Day of Atonement sacrifices, including the sin offering and the scapegoat. Sutton then shifted to the New Testament, using Hebrews 9:6‑9, 10:2‑10, and 7:23‑27 to demonstrate how Christ fulfills and surpasses the old priesthood. He highlighted that unlike the continual animal sacrifices that merely reminded Israel of sin, Jesus’ single, perfect sacrifice entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, cleansing believers’ consciences and offering perpetual intercession. The teacher concluded that Jesus is the final, eternal High Priest whose priesthood endures forever, securing eternal redemption for all who draw near to God.
Key Scriptures
Therefore, holy brothers, sharing in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always entered the outer tent, performing the divine service. But into the second, only the high priest went, once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been revealed while the outer tent is still standing, which is a symbol of the present age.
For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of those things, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered year after year, make those who approach perfect. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? For if the worshippers had been made perfect, there would have been no more offering for sins.