Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil.

- Habakkuk 1:13a

For our God is a consuming fire.

- Hebrews 12:29

Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

- Hebrews 2:17

The primary work of a prophet was to serve as God's representative to man -to present God before the people. The primary work of a priest was to be man's representative before God -to present man before God.

As fallen sinners, we cannot approach a holy God. He is too holy to commune with sin. Our sin has made an eternal separation between God and us. Therefore we need Jesus Christ as our High Priest. We need His sacrifice upon earth to pay the penalty of death for our sins -to restore communion with God. We need His intercession for us in heaven to maintain communion. We need Jesus' blessing us from heaven to experience communion with God.

These truths are portrayed in the following chart:

CHRIST'S WORK AS PRIEST

Foundational (Approaching) Work - From Man to God

Work

Purpose

Example Text

1. Sacrifice (Offer)

Restore communion
with God

For by one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

- Hebrews 10:14

2. Pray (Intercede)

Maintain communion
with God

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

- Hebrews 7:25

Resulting (Returning) Work - From God to Man

3. Bless

Experience communion
with God

Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

- Ephesians 1:2-3