• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Church Leadership Discipleship How does Christ fill the office of a priest?

How does Christ fill the office of a priest?

Posted on April 3, 2019 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment



Question 25 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks, How does Christ fill the office of a priest?

The answer given is, Christ fills the office of a priest in his once offering up of himself to God as a sacrifice, to satisfy divine justice and reconcile us to God; and in making constant intercession for us.

I notice first the word “once” which is used to modify the verb offering. Christ does not continually offer himself up as a sacrifice, nor does the sacrifice need to be repeated on a daily or weekly basis. It was completed once and is effective for all time.

The answer also provides the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice. It was done to satisfy divine justice and provide the means were we can be reconciled to God. In other words our relationship with God was broken and we needed Jesus to intervene to restore the relationship. We bring sin and failure to the table and Jesus takes it and gives us his righteousness in return.

But perhaps the most comfort of all can be obtained from the last part of this answer. Jesus functions as a priest by continually interceding on our behalf.

This really hits home with me right now. I have gone through a period of time when I wasn’t really sure who was fully in my corner supporting me. When life is difficult and nothing seems to be going right, it makes all the difference in the world to know that Jesus has not given up and has not abandoned me. The reminder that Jesus is making the effort to intercede on my behalf makes it possible to persevere and avoid despair.

If you are in need of encouragement right now, may I suggest that you take a few moments and read the prayer In John 17 and spend some time letting it marinate? By reading this prayer, we get a deep view into how Jesus intercedes for us.


Filed Under: Discipleship

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

Shame on you . . .

This realization will displace shame wherever it is found. Like spiritual chemotherapy, the Gospel goes on a seek-and-destroy mission against shame.

For that I am grateful.

My reluctant New Year’s Resolutions

My experience is that resolutions are likely to be broken or forgotten before the end of January. Yet I am going on record with 5 of them. Read mine and share a few of your own.

Chick-fil-A

How Chick-fil-A baffled the PR pundits

A recent USAToday article expressed surprise about the lack of impact the boycott of Chick-fil-A produced. I offer some thoughts on why the boycott failed.

Joseph's Dream

An ordinary guy involved in extraordinary things

Joseph as an ordinary guy. Because he did the right thing, he was used by God to accomplish something extraordinary. We have the same opportunity be used by God.

God's Crime Scene

God’s Crime Scene – Book Endorsement

God’s Crime Scene is a book that I know I will re-read and refer to as part of my apologetics library. If you have any interest at all in knowing where the evidence point with regard to the beginning of the universe, I strongly recommend that you pick up a copy of this book.

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
November 2023
SMTWTFS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
2627282930 
« Oct    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in