(Hebrews 4:14) We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven.

One theological topic that is often neglected by many Christians today is that Jesus is our eternal high priest. 

On Mount Sinai, God declared that only Israel’s high priest could enter the presence of God in the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. 

No one could enter the direct presence of God to represent and forgive the sins of all of the people of Israel except the Levitical high priest. He could only enter the Most Holy Place before the Ark of the Covenant—God’s presence—once a year. 

For Christians, Jesus is our great high priest, for after his death and resurrection he ascended into the direct presence of God on our behalf forever. Entering heaven, he offered his own blood spilled on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins, and poured out the Holy Spirit on the world. 

Jesus now remains our great high priest enthroned in heaven. He continues to intercede for us, function as the leader (head) of the church, and is active in our lives through the experience of the Holy Spirit. No longer are daily sacrifices required for our forgiveness, he paid it all through his death on the cross. 

As our great high priest, he personally identifies with our daily weaknesses and struggles. For he also became fully human as we are, and faced all the temptations that we do, except without sin.

Today, Jesus is enthroned in the presence of God, and invites us into God’s presence also. He identifies with all the difficulties we face in life. He is not detached, but is always present with us. He never leaves us alone like orphans. 

No matter what you face in life today, Jesus is with you! He walks beside us through life. He has accomplished everything we need for redemption and healing.

We must never forget: Jesus is our great high priest, and there is no other. 

He is praying for us before the throne of God at all times.

In this, we all can rejoice!

We are never alone.