To the Jews of the Old Testament and the Pharisees of the New Testament, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. Once a year, he alone entered the Most Holy Place in the Temple to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation (Leviticus 16).
Christ is superior to the high priests, and His royal priesthood (the church) is superior to their priesthood. Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between God and us. As humanity’s representative, He intercedes for us before God. As God’s representative, He assures us of God’s forgiveness. As both truly God and truly man, Jesus has more authority than the Jewish high priests. Unlike the high priest, who could go before God only once a year, Christ always sits at God’s right hand, interceding for us. Jesus is the Great High Priest, and His believers are the royal priesthood.
Hebrews 4:14 (NKJV) Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove †