The Priesthood Of Christ

“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” - 1 Timothy 2:5

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Christ discharges the office of a merciful and faithful High Priest on behalf of His people. This He could not do unless He were both God and man in one person. As man, He is fitted to present us unto God. As God, He is fitted to bring God unto us. Had He not been man, He could not have suffered. Had He not been God, His sufferings could not have availed for us. The whole dispensation of grace hangs upon the person of Christ. The wisdom of God is gloriously displayed in this constitution of a Mediator who is suited to both parties—able to lay His hand upon us both.

In this office, Christ draws near to God for us and draws near to us for God. He brings our persons and our prayers into the presence of the Almighty, and by His intercession He procures for us grace in every time of need. We dare not approach God in our own name; we have no righteousness to commend us. But Christ presents us in His righteousness, and the Father is well pleased. The blood of Jesus speaks better things than that of Abel. His intercession is not a cold or empty formality, but the continual exercise of His love and care. The love that brought Him from heaven to earth and from the cross to the grave now moves Him to intercede for His people in glory.

Let us then make use of Christ as our Priest. We have not only a sacrifice for sin, but a living Savior who appears in the presence of God for us. He knows our frame, He bears our names upon His heart, and He ceases not to plead our cause. The virtue of His priesthood shall continue until the last believer is brought safely home. The souls for whom He died shall not perish, for He both purchased and preserves them.

(Taken From The Glory of Christ by John Owen)