In Hebrews 5:1–10, we are shown one of the most important categories in all of Scripture for understanding Jesus: Priest.

Why did God spend centuries building the categories of prophets, kings, sacrifices, and priests before sending His Son into the world? Because Jesus cannot be rightly understood apart from the Old Testament story that prepared the world for Him. He is not merely a teacher, moral example, or spiritual guide. He is our Great High Priest.

In this sermon, Pastor Neil Sandlin looks at the priest God required and the priest God provided. The Old Testament priesthood revealed what sinful people needed: a mediator appointed by God, able to sympathize with human weakness, and able to offer sacrifice for sin. But every earthly priest was limited by his own weakness and guilt.

Hebrews shows us that what God required, He Himself provided in Christ.

Jesus is the true and better High Priest—appointed by God, enthroned as the eternal Son, compassionate toward sinners, and the final sacrifice for sin. He is the Priest-King after the order of Melchizedek, the one who not only died for His people, but now reigns and intercedes for them forever.

This sermon calls us to behold the glory of Christ as our perfect High Priest and to come to Him, because there is no other priest, no other sacrifice, and no other salvation.