Priesthood

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
 
The definition of High Priesthood, given us by the Lord the Spirit, (Heb. 2, 5, 8) is “Headship for men in things pertaining to God.” In this concise description three parties are placed before us; on the one side Deity, on the other side man, and the person of the high priest the connecting link between them. No accurate idea of priesthood can exist where this double relationship and this double service are not perceived. In Jesus alone, the subject of our consideration has been fully exemplified. He is the connecting link between heaven and earth, the only Mediator between God and man. From Deity above He is the Mediator downward to man beneath, and from man beneath He is the Head upward to Deity. This surely is a blessed subject of meditation, as presenting us with the full body of all truth in the person of Jesus. Let us look at it a little more closely. The term God, as one has observed, denotes proximity in external things; in other words, it implies relationship. This is shown from our Lord’s most striking argument in Matt. 22:31-3231But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying, 32I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (Matthew 22:31‑32). “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (See also Is. 40 and context.) The honors of the priesthood and the majesty and dignity proper to it, are, if this be so, at once seen: Jehovah stands in the relationship with a people: for He is the God spoken of as connected, through the High Priest, with the sons of men. But who can measure the riches of Jehovah’s glory? Infinite in wisdom, infinite in power, infinite in love, infinite in everything excellent and good. He stands in recognized and honored relationship with the sons of men. Relationship with such an One must be blessed, most glorious! A self-existing, ever-flowing spring pours forth its pure and living, its healing and life-giving waters. What would a world in harmony with Jehovah be, and not in harmony only, but whose harmony, in every put, bore the full impress of His own glorious likeness!