The CatechismGlobal Methodist Church
Question 16 of 77 · Ecumenical Affirmations

Is Jesus Christ our great high priest?

Yes. Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Catechism for the Global Methodist Church, question 16

Commentary

This question fills out what it means for Christ to be "seated at the right hand of the Father." The answer is drawn almost word for word from Hebrews 7:24-25, and the church's own standard says the same thing in a single clause: Article II of the Confession of Faith calls Jesus "eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us." The title "great high priest" comes from Hebrews 4:14, and the catechism uses it to teach that the ascended Christ is still at work on behalf of his people.

Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood is the argument of Hebrews 7. The priests of Israel "were many because death prevented them from continuing" (Hebrews 7:23), and they had "to offer sacrifices first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people" (Hebrews 7:27). Jesus is a priest of a different order, "according to the power of an indestructible life" (Hebrews 7:16), appointed by God's oath: "You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek" (Hebrews 7:17). "Because he remains forever, he holds the priesthood permanently" (Hebrews 7:24). His sacrifice was made "once for all when he offered himself" (Hebrews 7:27), which is why Article XX of the Articles of Religion teaches that the offering of Christ, once made, needs no repetition.

He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them is Hebrews 7:25 itself. Paul asks who could condemn the believer when Christ, who died and was raised, "is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us" (Romans 8:34). John gives the same comfort to Christians who have sinned: "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he himself is the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 2:1-2). The priest who pleads for sinners is the one who "has been tempted in every respect according to likeness, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).

For a Methodist this is the doctrine behind bold prayer. Hebrews draws the conclusion directly: "Let us therefore come near with boldness to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for opportune help" (Hebrews 4:16). Wesley taught that the believer approaches God through the merits of Christ alone, and the church's prayers of confession and the Lord's Supper both rest on this one priest whose intercession never lapses (Hebrews 7:25).