Jesus, the perfect high priest
key words
biblical reference
1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:9-18; 4:14-5:10
lesson objective
To help the students understand the role of the high priest, primarily that of Jesus as the perfect High Priest, as a mediator between God and people
memory verse
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
Preadolescent students are familiar with the concept of limited access. The “Private” notice on the door of an office, the secret agent service that protects a government leader, and the security measures used regularly at airports and other public buildings remind us of our limitations.
Preadolescents of this age have probably already experienced the frustration that “limited access” causes. For example, maybe they wanted to personally greet a celebrity and someone stopped them in the attempt. The privilege of accessing a certain situation depends on many factors such as age, education, social status, and several others.
“Limited access to God” was a reality for humanity in general before the arrival of Jesus Christ. On occasion, God met ordinary people. But the vast majority of people depended on priests to gain access to him for them, especially when they sought forgiveness for sins they committed.
Through Jesus, students in your group can have direct and unlimited access to God. The days are over forever where, to get closer to him, we had to turn to an earthly person. This is possible because Christ is next to the Father, and at the same time, by our side. With Jesus as our high priest and intercessor, children can approach God freely and confidently, knowing that he always understands them.
biblical commentary
God created the priesthood to serve, comfort and help his people and to make possible the relationship between himself and his people. The benefits of the priestly task were fully manifested in the person of Jesus. Here are some reasons that prove that he is the great high priest (Hebrews 4:14) and an effective mediator between God and us.
Jesus completed the work of reconciling God and the people (Hebrews 2:9) and, as we saw in the previous lesson, his sacrifice was done once and for all (Hebrews 9).
Also, unlike the Jewish high priests, Jesus is perpetually representing us before God.
Jesus Christ could be fully identified with those whom he serves as the high priest. The New Testament points out (Hebrews 5:1) that the earthly high priests were chosen among men. The reason for this was that the high priest needed to identify with the weaknesses and suffering of the people he served.
By the fact that Jesus became a man, he could identify fully with us. With the exception of sin, he experienced all aspects of human life: hunger, thirst, sorrow, all emotions, and also the toughest temptations.
Actually, he endured more temptations than we’ll suffer in our entire lives because, unlike us, he never gave in to them. Since he suffered the worst scourges that Satan could conceive, he knows how difficult it is to resist temptations. The help he can give us includes understanding, instructions, support, strength and a perfect example of how to react to suffering and temptation.
Jesus was “perfected” through suffering. How can someone, who was already morally and spiritually perfect, become even more so? Before coming as a man, Jesus had not experienced hunger, thirst, suffering, or temptations.
He had not had the requirement to remain faithful to God in the midst of rigorous and constant opposition. What made Jesus “perfect” was what he experienced on earth.
Remember that “perfect” means mature, complete and able to achieve the purpose desired by God.
God’s purpose for Jesus was to be the “author and finisher” of salvation for the fallen human race (Hebrews 12:2). The only way he could do that was to experience every aspect of human life and resist temptation until the end.
Jesus is a faithful high priest. He lived his life faithfully serving God and now, also faithfully interceding for us. He isn’t a hesitant, elusive or capricious helper, but someone totally reliable and always suitable to help us in every experience of our lives.
introduce the lesson
The meaning of mediator and important words
Write the Important Words with their definitions on large cards and place them on the mural at the foot of the cross.
Pass out Student Activity Sheet #396-A (What is a Mediator?). Tell them to choose what they believe is the meaning of the word “mediator” (the answer is Figure No. 3). “Mediator” means: one who helps to have peace or reach an agreement with people or groups in conflict. The mediator cares about the interests of both parties.
We recognize Jesus as our mediator. (Write this word on a card and attach it to the mural, next to the cross.) Jesus, through his sacrifice and death on the cross, made it possible for there to be peace and friendship between God and us human beings. Now, Christ intercedes for us before the Father.
Intercede: present the needs or interests of one person to another. To help someone understand another. To pray for the needs of people. In heaven, Jesus is the one who intercedes for us before God.
Priest / high priest: is the person who speaks to God about people and vice versa. The priest intercedes by praying to God for people. They help God and people have an intimate relationship. The high priest is the most important priest. We call Jesus high priest because he is the most important and the best that ever existed.
Remember, a mediator considers the views and interests of the two parties or groups with whom they’re working. The mediator tries to have peace and agreement among all.
Give students an example of how the Mediator works. Say: Suppose Alan told some lies about Randy, and now he’s worried. Randy is very angry and doesn’t want to accept Andy’s apologies. The mediator speaks with the two boys, and tries to help Randy understand why Alan did what he did. He also encourages Randy to forgive Alan. He previously spoke with Alan and offered him some ideas that will help him improve the situation with Randy.
Allow three volunteers to perform a dramatization of this situation. When finished, give a moment for the students to ask questions.
Say: “The mediator’s task is very important. It’s always desired that relations improve, that there’s forgiveness and understanding of one another, and that in the end there’s peace between the parties.”
Our Bible study today is about a person who is the mediator between God and the people. Who do you think that person is? (Jesus) We’ll discover why Jesus is the perfect mediator between God and us.
Distribute Student Activity Sheet #396-B and #396-C
teach the lesson
What exactly is a priest? And what is the priesthood?
If possible, give pencils and paper to each student. Ask: “What comes to your minds when you hear the word priest?” Allow them to write their definitions. Have them to tell what they wrote. Ask: “Do you think it’s a positive or negative idea? Do you know what a priest does?”
What is a Priest?
Say: “According to A Dictionary of the Bible and Christian Doctrine in Everyday English (Eby, Lyons & Truesdale 2004), ‘Priest’ means ‘a person who represents man before God and God before man.’ It is an important part of God’s plan for redemption.
1. A Priest is a mediator (intercessor) between God and his people who worship him.
2. A priest makes the will of God known to the people.
3. A Priest helps the people understand God’s grace and mercy.
4. A Priest leads the people in the rituals and ceremonies of praise.”
Note: “In the time of the patriarchs, the priesthood was performed by the people themselves. They offered sacrifices for their sins and those of their families. God told Moses that the priests would be the descendants of Aaron. The Epistle to the Hebrews teaches that Jesus is the Great High Priest. The priests of the family of Aaron were no longer needed. Jesus made the perfect and final atonement for sins (see Hebrews 8:6-10:25). All of the believers were called by God to be priests. That is, we are to present Christ to people who don’t know him. We don’t offer sacrifices as the priests of Israel did. The sacrifice that Christians offer is a life of service and praise to God.”
The Priesthood refers to the office or work of the priest. The high priest was the leader of the other priests. He was the only one who was allowed to enter the Holy of Holies in the temple. The priests were Levites; they came from the tribe of Levi. The priests had specific responsibilities in the temple:
1. They guarded the doors to the temple and kept the temple clean.
2. They taught God’s law to the people.
3. In the temple, they provided the music for times of worship.
4. They guided the people in the singing and in praise to God.
5. Only the priests were allowed to help with sacrifices at the altar or go into the holy place of the temple. Now that Christ is our High Priest, we no longer need other priests or mediators!
Now that Christ is our High Priest, we no longer need other priests or mediators!
connect the lesson
I need a high priest!
Read Hebrews 2:14-16. Then tell the group: “When Jesus died and rose again, he destroyed the power of Satan. This power determines that when we obey Satan and sin, we deserve the penalty of sin, punishment and death. But Christ died and rose again so that we can trust him and be forgiven. We no longer need to fear the punishment of sin and death. Through him, we receive forgiveness and eternal life.”
Divide into four smaller groups and assign each group a scripture passage from the following list. Each group should list ways Jesus can help them be Christians.
Hebrews 2:17-18. Jesus suffered temptations of all kinds. However, he didn’t sin. Therefore, he can teach us how to resist temptation. He can also encourage us when we’re tempted and give us the victory.
Hebrews 4:14-16. Just as Jesus experienced and overcame temptation, we can come to him humbly and confidently, for help to overcome temptation.
Hebrews 5:7-10. Although it seems strange, Jesus, the Son of God, became “perfect” by living on earth as a human being. That’s why he is able to understand and help us in every way. He couldn’t have done it if he didn’t go through all those tests. In this way he becomes our “perfect” Savior.
Have each group explain their passage, and discuss as a group.
Ask everyone to look up 1 Timothy 2:5. This passage reminds us that Jesus is the only mediator we have and need. Because he is God, he can help us know the Creator. Because he is human, he understands us and can help us live for God.
Explain: “If you had to say in your own words why Jesus is a perfect priest and mediator for us, what would you say?” Let several students respond (Jesus had the kind of human experiences necessary to be our priest. He is both human and divine. He went through all the circumstances that we also go through. He understands God, and us.)
Tell the students to complete Student Activity Sheet #396-D, expressing in writing how they want God to help them.
practice the memory verse
Repeat the memory activity from the last session. Make a race track of “biblical text” in the courtyard. Separate girls from boys. Make a finish line with something. Tell them that they should run quickly, say the memory verse well and in an understandable way. When one has finished saying it, another will run and repeat the passage. If someone makes a mistake, forgets or omits some part, they must return running to the end of the line until their turn comes again.
The team that finishes first with all its members next to the “finish line” will be the winner. Warning: nobody can help their teammates. If someone does, the two students will return to the end of the line for not complying with the rules.
This being the last lesson of the unit, prepare some simple prizes to offer to the students who learned the memory verse. It can be fruit or cookies (they shouldn’t always be treats). Also a pencil, pens, stickers, etc.
You can organize a competition of questions and answers as a review of the unit and give prizes to those who finish in first, second and third place. Use your creativity to make the group flashy and enjoyable for students. That way they’ll want to return.
Distribute Student Activity Sheet #396-D and help the group apply it to the memory verse.
wrap-up
Pray
End with a prayer of gratitude for Jesus Christ, our high priest:
Because he gave his life as the best and perfect offering.
Because we no longer need to bring animals to sacrifice for our sins.
Because Christ intercedes for us before the Father.
Because in his death he washed away all our sins.
Because we can go to the Father praying at any time, without the need of a priest.
Because God listens to us directly.
Encourage
Encourage your students to sing praises for Christ Jesus our Mediator!
Invite
As they depart tell the group the next session will begin a new unit of lessons and encourage them to attend. Remind them that this is a good time to invite new group members.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™