Lesson #25—Christ the Priest

Shorter Catechism Q & A #25

Q. How doth Christ execute the office of a priest?

A. Christ executeth the office of a priest, in his once offering up of himself a sacrifice to satisfy divine justice, and reconciles us to God; and in making continual intercession for us.

Memorize Q & A—Exposition

Christ is our Savior whose sacrifice satisfied God’s justice on our behalf. Christ is our advocate, having broken down the wall of separation, reconciling us to God our Father. Christ is our priest who continues to intercede between us and God.

What does it mean?

Discuss: Man “has neither the right nor even the desire to come into God’s presence. A priest is one who, acting on man’s behalf, undertakes to restore harmonious relations between God and man” [L. Boettner]; in light of the following verses:

• Hebrews 9:11–12, 14, 28, Romans 5:6—Sacrifice
• Hebrews 2:17, Matthew 20:28—Ransom
• Romans 5:8–10—Reconciliation Zechariah 6:12–13—Royal Priest
• Hebrews 7:24–25—Intercession

What is our practice?

How does the understanding of Christ as prophet affect our study and teaching of the Word of God, and of our testimony of the Gospel?

Quotes for thought and discussion:

“Because Christ drew from the fountainhead of all wisdom, He taught as one having authority, and not as the scribes. In all of His teaching there was never a note of indecision or doubt, never a tendency to reason things out or speculate, but always an air of authority and finality. He alone had original knowledge of God, and He alone knew the real condition of men’s spiritual nature and the remedy for that condition.” (Loraine Boettner, Studies in Theology)

“Is Christ our priest, who was sacrificed for us? Then see the endeared affection of Christ to us sinners. ‘The cross,’ says Augustine, ‘was a pulpit, in which Christ preached his love to the world.’ That Christ should die, was more than if all the angels had been turned to dust; and especially that Christ should die as a malefactor, having the weight of all men’s sins laid upon him, and that he should die for his enemies (Rom. 5:10). The balm-tree weeps out its precious balm, to heal those that cut and mangle it; so Christ shed his blood, to heal those that crucified him. He died freely. It is called the offering of the body of Jesus (Heb. 10:10). Though his sufferings were so great that they made him sigh, and weep, and bleed; yet they could not make him repent. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied’ (Is. 53:11).” (Thomas Watson, Sermons on Catechism)

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