Yeshua the Only High Priest

We know that G-D established a format of worship in which there were the regular Israelite men, women, and children; the Levites who served and worked in the tabernacle and later the temples; and the Cohanim (priests) who performed the sacrifices and offerings in the tabernacle and temples. Then there was one man who served in the role of Cohen Gadol (high priest). At the time of Yeshua's death, the Cohen Gadol was a man named Caiaphas.

In Matthew chapter 26, we read about the trial of Yeshua before Caiaphas and in verse 65 we read the following:

“65 Then the kohen gadol tore his clothes and said, ‘Blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, you’ve heard the blasphemy.’” (Matt. 26:65)

These words are often overlooked as unimportant information and simply a demonstration of the priest's anger, similar to someone being angry enough to pull their hair out. However, there is a much deeper spiritual concept being demonstrated here, which is vital to the spiritual life of every believer. In Leviticus, we find this about the Cohen Gadol:

"10 He who is the kohen gadol among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured and is consecrated to put on the garments, is not to let the hair of his head hang loose or tear his clothes," (Lev. 21:10)

Notice that the Cohen Gadol was not allowed to tear his clothing. Once Caiaphas tore his clothes, he had disqualified himself from being the Cohen Gadol. In other words, Caiaphas' tearing of his clothing was equal to resignation from his position. Shortly before this event took place, we find in the Bible Yeshua and His disciples visiting the Jordan River where John the Immerser is. John is speaking to his followers and says the following words:

“28 ‘You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,’ but rather, ‘I am sent before Him.’ 29 The one who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the best man rejoices when he stands and hears the bridegroom’s voice. So now my joy is complete! 30 He must increase, while I must decrease.’” (John 3:28-30)

It is believed by many that John was actually the man who was supposed to be the Cohen Gadol at the time of Yeshua. We know that Caiaphas was a political appointee of Rome. We know John's father was serving in the temple. We know a large group of people followed John and were immersed by him. We know John was from the correct tribe, Levi. There are other good reasons to believe that John was the "actual" Cohen Gadol, but, because of Roman authority, was not serving in the temple.

One additional reason to believe, and very important in the context of this blog, is the statement that John makes above in verse 30. "He must increase, while I must decrease." If John, as we believe, was the Cohen Gadol by lineage and biblical rights, then these words and John's overseeing of the Immersion of Yeshua show John relinquishing his position as Cohen Gadol. John resigns differently than Caiaphas, but resigns nonetheless.

With this in mind as believers in Yeshua, the only qualified high priest at the time of the death of Yeshua was in fact Yeshua Himself, as we read in Hebrews chapter 7, after the order of Melchizedek. So, with the resignation of John and the disqualification of Caiaphas, Yeshua stands as the Cohen Gadol, the spiritual authority over all Israel.

Yet, there is one spiritual authority over our lives that needs to resign as unqualified. That person is you and I. We must step down as the spiritual authority over our own lives. We must notice that before Yeshua became the sacrifice and before He was proclaimed "King of the Jews," all Cohanim G'dolim (high priests) other than Yeshua Himself, had to be set down.

Likewise, before Yeshua can fully be our sacrifice of atonement and fully become our King, we need to step out of the way and give Him all authority, not only over our sins as atonement, and not only over our lives as King, but first over our souls and spirits as Cohen Gadol. It is only when we release Him to be our Cohen Gadol that He can replace us as the one who defeats our spiritual enemies.