When many Christians hear the phrase “Jesus is our High Priest,” they instinctively think of the cross—and rightly so. But Hebrews makes something very clear: Jesus’ priestly work did not end at the cross.
The sacrifice was finished, but the priesthood continues.
So what exactly is Jesus doing now as our High Priest?
The book of Hebrews gives us a surprisingly concrete answer.
He Represents Us Before God — Right Now
“We have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” (Hebrews 4:14)
A priest’s primary role is representation. Under the Old Covenant, the high priest represented Israel before God. Under the New Covenant, Jesus represents humanity before the Father.
What makes this astonishing is how He represents us:
- not as a distant divine figure
- but as a glorified human
Hebrews 2 says He is not ashamed to call us brothers. That means Jesus stands before the Father with our humanity, not apart from it.
Our acceptance before God is secure not because we perform well, but because He is present.
He Has Already Dealt With Sin — Once for All
Jesus is not repeatedly offering sacrifices.
“He did this once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27)
This is one of Hebrews’ strongest emphases:
- the sacrifice is finished
- sin has been fully dealt with
- nothing needs to be added
As High Priest, Jesus does not keep re-atoning. He stands on a completed work.
That means:
- no repeated guilt
- no ongoing sacrifice
- no fear that sin will suddenly disqualify you
He Intercedes for Us Continually
“He always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Intercession does not mean Jesus is constantly pleading with an unwilling Father. Hebrews never presents the Father as reluctant.
Rather, Jesus’ very presence before God is the intercession. Because we are in Christ, and our access to God is through Him and in Him.
As long as He stands there:
- your access remains open
- your salvation remains secure
- your standing remains intact
Intercession is not desperation—it is representation.
He Gives Us Confidence to Draw Near
Because Jesus is our High Priest, Hebrews repeatedly invites believers to come boldly:
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace.” (Hebrews 4:16)
Notice what is missing:
- fear
- hesitation
- spiritual gatekeeping
We don’t approach God based on our worthiness.
We approach because our High Priest is faithful.
Confidence in prayer flows directly from Christ’s priesthood.
He Actively Helps Us in Weakness and Temptation
Hebrews connects priesthood with real-time help:
“For since He Himself suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
The Greek word for help literally means to run to the cry.
Jesus does not help from a distance.
He helps as One who has suffered, been tempted, and remained faithful.
His priesthood is not theoretical—it is experiential.
He Guarantees the New Covenant
Hebrews also calls Jesus:
“The mediator of a new covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15)
As High Priest, He:
- maintains the covenant
- guarantees its promises
- ensures it does not fail
Your salvation does not rest on how tightly you hold on to God—but on how firmly Christ holds the covenant together.
So What Is Jesus Doing Right Now?
Here’s the clearest summary Hebrews gives us:
Jesus is standing before the Father as our representative, on the basis of His finished sacrifice, continually securing our access to God, actively helping us in weakness, and guaranteeing our salvation until it is fully consummated.
He is not:
- redoing the cross
- renegotiating forgiveness
- uncertain about the outcome
He is faithfully executing a completed work.
Why This Matters
Because Jesus is our High Priest:
- we don’t drift in fear
- we don’t pray hesitantly
- we don’t carry guilt as identity
We live confidently—not because we are strong, but because He is faithful.
Final Thought
Christianity is not about trying harder to reach God.
It is about trusting that we already have a faithful High Priest who represents us perfectly.
And as long as Jesus stands before the Father—which is forever—our access, help, and salvation are secure.
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