Whatâs Jesus been doing these last 2,000 years since His resurrection? Well, Heâs not retired and taking it easy!
The Bible says Heâs working on every Christianâs behalf in the presence of God.
Last month in this series, we asked and answered: Whereâs Jesus now? (1) Heâs not on earth; Heâs in Heaven. (2) Heâs seated (or standing) at the right hand of God.
This month we begin answering the question: Whatâs Jesus doing now?
Heâs fulfilling the role of high priest. During the Patriarchal Age, there wasnât a designated High Priest. Fathers and heads of extended families/clans acted in the role of priest.
However, that changed with the inception of the Mosaic Age. God instituted a new Law â the Mosaic Law â at Mount Sinai. God instituted a new priesthood, too. The Lord restricted the priesthood to the tribe of Levi, descendants from Mosesâ brother Aaron. God Himself had specifically chosen and appointed Aaron as first High Priest over Israel.
It remained that way for centuries until Jesus died on the cross. At Calvary, Christ perfectly and completely fulfilled the Law of Moses, setting it aside and ushering in a new law and a new priesthood at Godâs behest.
Upon completion of His earthly mission, Jesus was welcomed back into Heaven, where God gave His Son the title of High Priest for the Church.
God appointed Jesus to that position, says Hebrews 3:1-2 (ESV). âConsider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to God who appointed Him.â
Just as it was Godâs will that Aaron was the first High Priest under the Law of Moses, so it was Godâs will that Jesus is the one and only High Priest in the Christian Age.
Under the Mosaic Law, Jesus wasnât qualified to be High Priest (or any kind of priest) because Jesus wasnât from the tribe of Levi, but the tribe of Judah (âthe Lion of the tribe of Judahâ Revelation 5:5 calls Him!). Jesus didnât come to serve as an earthly priest under the Law of Moses. The only way for Jesus to be High Priest was for a new law to be put in place, and thatâs what God did at the cross.
Moreover, instead of offering a bull, ox, sheep, or any other kind of sacrificial animal, Jesus offered Himself as the Lamb of God. He gave His own blood and life for the sins of all people. His sacrifice paid the price for all sin for all time and turned away the wrath of God. Hebrews 2:17 (ESV) speaks about that.
âTherefore Jesus 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.â
The High Priest under the Law of Moses entered the Holy of Holies once a year to meet with God and to sprinkle the blood of the sacrifice on the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat, which was atop it. The High Priest was the only Israelite, and the only priest among all the priests, permitted to enter the Holy of Holies. Even then, he could only enter once a year for a short amount of time.
However, Jesus ushered in a new law and covenant with God. On earth, Jesus was unable to enter into the Holy of Holies in the physical Temple in Jerusalem because He wasnât a High Priest under the Law of Moses.
Now, Jesus has ascended into Heaven and serves forever as our High Priest before God in the spiritual Temple in Heaven.
Wouldnât you agree thatâs a much better priesthood and that Jesus is a much better kind of High Priest?
In future articles in this series, weâll further detail what Jesus is doing now: (1) mediating and interceding for those who are His, (2) providing access to the Father for those who are His, (3) making sure things are ready for our arrival, and (4) preparing for His Second Coming.
