Remember Jesus, who is our high priest

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Hebrews 2:17

Today, we don't have the same understanding of "priest" that the first readers of this letter had. If you want to go deeper with this subject, read through Leviticus and then read through Hebrews. It's one of my favorite studies to do in one long sitting. You could also break it up into several weeks. Sometimes I really like reading entire books of the Bible in a big sitting because you see the big picture. Regardless, if you read these two books in succession, you will be in awe of what Christ has accomplished as our high priest. For now, let's just take a little step back into the Levitical priesthood, to get the idea.

Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people and bring its blood inside the veil and do with its blood as he did with the blood of the bull, sprinkling it over the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat. Thus he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the people of Israel and because of their transgressions, all their sins. And so he shall do for the tent of meeting, which dwells with them in the midst of their uncleanness.  Leviticus 16:15-16

Once a year, it was the job of the high priest to offer sacrifices to God as atonement for sin. It happened every year, because people have always continued in sin.

Let's now look at the difference in having Jesus as high priest.

For the law appoints them in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect [complete] forever. Now, the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man...As it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. Hebrews 7:28-8:2, 8:6 

Jesus is our true and better high priest. His promise says you will be my people and I will be your God. This is what we have in Jesus.

Now, since He is a much better high priest, He is able to offer a much better and more permanent sacrifice.

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 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. For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the sprinkling of defiled persons with the ashes of a heifer, sanctify for the purification of the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. Hebrews 9:11-14 

As if my Hunger Games quote the other day weren't enough, I'm going to reference Harry Potter today. In the sixth book, Harry accompanies Professor Dumbledore on a mission to retrieve and destroy an object containing a piece of the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort's soul (horcrux). In order to get there, blood must be spilled. Harry offers his arm, but Dumbledore tells Harry his blood is too valuable. So is Jesus blood infinitely precious. It is worth more than that of all the goats and bulls in the world, and it needs only be poured out once. And that one time is sufficient for every sin of every saint forever and ever.

As it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. Hebrews 9:26b 

and

But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Hebrews 10:12

And though He sacrificed but once, it does not mean He is not always working for our good. Look at what Jesus does at the right hand of God:

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 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. Hebrews 7:23-25

Jesus died for us. Jesus lives for us. What a great high priest indeed.

I have only scratched the surface here. This is one of my favorite subjects in this series, and I would again encourage you to dig in more for yourself to see what else you can find. If you like sermons, my church went through Hebrews last year and you can find the archives here. If you're specifically looking for more on the new covenants and Christ as our priest, I recommend "This is the New Covenant" and "There is a Redeemer".

Finally, I have a song for us today. It's one of my favorites.