Hebrews 8:1—Is Jesus our priest or our sacrifice?

Problem: Christ is presented here as the “High Priest” of believers (cf. 7:21). However, later Jesus is depicted as the “sacrifice” for our sins (Heb. 9:26, 28; 10:10). Which is He?

Solution: Jesus is represented correctly by both figures. He is our Priest in that He speaks to God on behalf of man. Yet He is our Sacrifice, since He offered Himself on the Cross for our sins. He is the Offerer and the Offered; both Sacrificer and Sacrificed. “He offered up Himself” (Heb. 7:27).

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.