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I. THE PRIESTLY DIGNITY OF JESUS. "Seeing, then, that we have a great High Priest."

1. Christ is a Priest. The term signifies one who ministers in holy things. The priests under the law were distinguished as follows —

(1)  They were appointed of God.

(2)  Separated to their office and work at a peculiar time.

(3)  Consecrated with the washing of water and anointing oil.

(4)  Had peculiar apparel and ornaments; the robe, the mitre, and the breast-plate.

(5)  They taught the people.

(6)  Offered sacrifices.

(7)  And burned incense before the Lord. It will easily be seen bow strikingly all these exhibited the character and work of Jesus.

2. Christ is a High Priest. Now the high priest was distinguished from the other priests —

(1)  As he was appealed to on all important occasions, and decided all controversies.

(2)  He offered the great annual sacrifice.

(3)  He only entered into the holiest of all once a year.

(4)  He offered the annual intercessory prayer, and came forth and blessed the people in the name of the Lord.

3. Christ is the Great High Priest. Now Jesus is infinitely greater than the high priests of old.

(1)  In the dignity of His person. He is the Son of God, Heir of all things, Lord of all.

(2)  In the purity of His nature. "Holy, harmless, and separate from sinners." "Without spot."

(3)  In the value and efficacy of His sacrifice. An equivalent for the world's guilt. Only once offered, and for all sins.

(4)  In the unchangeable perpetuity of His office. "A priest for ever." "An unchangeable priesthood" (Hebrews 7:24). He had no direct predecessor, and He shall have no successor. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever."

II. HIS HIGH EXALTATION. "Who is passed into the heavens."

1. The place into which He is exalted. "The heavens." Represented of old by the holiest of all. Described by Jesus as His Father's house.

2. The manner of His exaltation. "He passed into the heavens."

(1)  According to His own predictions.

(2)  While in the act of blessing His disciples.

(3)  Visibly, and with great splendour.

3. The great end of His exaltation.

(1)  To enjoy the rewards of His sufferings and toils (Philippians 2:6, 8, 9).

(2)  To appear before God as the intercessor of His Church.

(3)  To carry on His mediatorial designs. Hence, He is to subdue His foes, prolong His days, see His seed, and witness the travail of His soul until He is satisfied.

(4)  To abide as the Mediator between God and men to the end of the Christian state. Now God only treats with us by and through Jesus. And He is the only way of access to the Father (John 14:6; Hebrews 9:28).

III. THE PRACTICAL INFLUENCE THIS SUBJECT SHOULD HAVE UPON US. "Let us hold fast our profession."

1. The profession referred to. It is a profession of faith and hope in Christ, and of love and obedience to Him.

2. This profession must be maintained. Held fast, not abandoned. We shall be tempted, tried, persecuted. Our profession may cost us our property, liberty, lives. This profession must be held fast by the exercise of vigorous faith, constant love, and cheerful obedience.

(1)  For Christ's sake. Whose we are, and whom we serve.

(2)  For the profession's sake; that Christ's cause may not be injured, and His people cast down.

(3)  Especially for our own sake. It is only thus we can retain Divine acceptance, peace, joy, and the sure prospect of eternal life.

Application:

1. Christ's example is the model of our steadfastness.

2. Christ's exaltation should be the exciting attraction to steadfastness.

3. Christ's intercession will always provide the grace necessary to "our holding fast our profession."

(J. Burns, D. D.)

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KJV: Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

WEB: Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession.