The Story of Two Priesthoods
From Failure to Forever
A Journey Through Scripture to Understand Why Jesus Had to Replace the Old Priesthood
Introduction: Why This Matters
Have you ever wondered why the New Testament talks so much about Jesus being our "High Priest"? Why does the book of Hebrews spend so many chapters comparing Jesus to the Old Testament priesthood?
The answer is both simple and profound: Every human priest failed. Jesus Christ alone succeeded perfectly.
This isn't just ancient history. Understanding the failure of the old priesthood and the glory of Christ's eternal priesthood will transform how you approach God, how you pray, how you live, and how much you treasure Jesus.
Part One: God's Original Design
When God rescued Israel from Egypt, He gave them priests for three beautiful reasons:
First, to offer sacrifices for sin. Sin separates us from God. The priests would take the blood of animals and present it before God, temporarily covering the people's sins (Leviticus 16:15-16). This pointed forward to something better coming.
Second, to carry the people's names before God. The high priest wore a breastplate with twelve precious stones, each engraved with the name of one of Israel's twelve tribes (Exodus 28:29). When he entered God's presence, he literally carried the people's names over his heart. Beautiful picture, right?
Third, to teach God's truth. The priests were supposed to preserve knowledge and help people understand God's ways (Malachi 2:7).
God established that the priesthood would pass from father to son, through Aaron's family line (Exodus 29:9). The high priest served for life. The sacred garments were passed down generation to generation and were never to be torn or defiled (Leviticus 21:10).
For over 1,500 years, this system continued. But there was a problem...
Part Two: The Catastrophic Failures
Aaron: The Golden Calf
The very first high priest, Aaron—chosen by God, consecrated with sacred oil, wearing the holy garments—committed one of Israel's worst sins.
While Moses was on the mountain receiving God's law, the people grew impatient. They came to Aaron demanding, "Make us a god!" And what did this high priest do? He collected their gold jewelry, melted it down, and fashioned a golden calf (Exodus 32:1-4).
Three thousand people died that day because of the high priest's failure (Exodus 32:28). God was angry enough to destroy Aaron entirely, but Moses interceded for him (Deuteronomy 9:20).
The first high priest failed catastrophically.
Nadab and Abihu: Strange Fire
Aaron's two oldest sons, newly ordained as priests, decided to offer incense in a way God hadn't commanded. Fire came out from God's presence and consumed them both instantly (Leviticus 10:1-2). They died wearing their priestly garments.
God's message was clear: You cannot approach Me however you want. My way matters.
Eli's Sons: Sexual Immorality and Extortion
Eli served as high priest for forty years. His sons, Hophni and Phinehas, also served as priests. But they were wicked men. They extorted the people, taking meat from sacrifices by force. They had sexual relations with women at the entrance to the Tabernacle itself (1 Samuel 2:22).
Eli knew about it. He complained to his sons but took no real action (1 Samuel 2:23-25). God's judgment was devastating: Both sons were killed in battle on the same day. When Eli heard the news, he fell backward, broke his neck, and died (1 Samuel 4:17-18).
Why such severe judgment? Because Eli honored his sons above God (1 Samuel 2:29).
The Exile: Complete Collapse
In 586 BC, after centuries of priestly corruption and failure to teach God's truth, Jerusalem fell to Babylon. The Temple was burned. All the sacred vessels were stolen or destroyed. The Ark of the Covenant disappeared and was never recovered.
The high priest and many priests were executed (2 Kings 25:18-21). The survivors were marched off to Babylon in chains.
For seventy years, there was no Temple, no sacrifice, no functioning priesthood.
The prophets laid the blame squarely on the priests: "Both prophet and priest are polluted" (Jeremiah 23:11). "Her priests have done violence to My law" (Ezekiel 22:26).
After the Exile: Quick Return to Corruption
When the Jews returned and rebuilt the Temple, hope flickered briefly. But within a few generations, the corruption returned.
The prophet Malachi confronted the priests: "You are presenting defiled food on My altar—blind, lame, and sick animals. You wouldn't dare offer such garbage to your governor!" (Malachi 1:7-8).
Part Three: The Final Corruption
When Politics Took Over Completely
In 63 BC, Rome conquered Jerusalem. From that point forward, the high priesthood became a political commodity. Rome appointed and deposed high priests at will—often keeping a high priest for just one or two years. Between Herod the Great (37 BC) and the fall of Jerusalem (AD 70), there were twenty-eight different high priests.
Caiaphas: The Political Priest
Caiaphas became high priest in AD 18 through Roman appointment. He was married to the former high priest's daughter—yet the priesthood was supposed to pass from father to son through the male line only (Exodus 29:9).
When Jesus became popular, Caiaphas said, "It is better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish" (John 11:50)—meaning, "Let's kill Jesus before Rome thinks we're causing trouble."
The Night Everything Changed
When Jesus was arrested, He was brought to Caiaphas for trial. False witnesses contradicted each other. Finally, Caiaphas demanded, "Are You the Christ, the Son of God?"
Jesus answered, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:62).
Then Caiaphas did something shocking: He tore his garments (Matthew 26:65).
Remember those sacred robes designed by God, the ones that were never supposed to be torn? (Leviticus 21:10). The high priest was explicitly forbidden from tearing his clothes. Yet in rage and unbelief, Caiaphas ripped them apart.
In that moment—though he didn't realize it—Caiaphas was prophetically declaring the end of his own priesthood.
Hours later, when Jesus died on the cross, God tore the Temple veil from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). The old order was finished. A new priesthood had begun.
Part Four: The Pattern of Complete Failure
Looking back at 1,500 years of priesthood, we see a devastating pattern:
- They failed morally. From Aaron's golden calf to the sexual immorality of Eli's sons—human priests couldn't maintain holiness.
- They failed to teach truth. Instead of preserving God's Word, they often led people into error.
- They failed to save anyone permanently. Every sacrifice had to be repeated. The blood of bulls and goats could never actually remove sin (Hebrews 10:4).
- They died. Every single priest died and was replaced. The ministry was always temporary (Hebrews 7:23).
- They needed atonement for themselves. Before offering sacrifice for the people, they first had to sacrifice for their own sins (Leviticus 16:6).
But here's the key question: Why did God allow all these failures?
Part Five: The Glory of Christ's Perfect Priesthood
Every failure of the old priesthood was designed to make us desperate for Jesus Christ.
The book of Hebrews asks: "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood, why was there still need for another priest to come?" (Hebrews 7:11).
Answer: Because the old priesthood couldn't make anyone perfect.
So God sent His Son.
1. Jesus Is Perfectly Holy
Where Aaron made a golden calf, Jesus committed no sin. Where Eli's sons exploited the people, Jesus served them. Where Caiaphas partnered with Rome for power, Jesus submitted to the Father's will even unto death.
The writer of Hebrews describes Jesus as "holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners" (Hebrews 7:26).
2. Jesus Lives Forever
Every old priest died. Their ministry was constantly interrupted. But Jesus rose from the dead and lives forever!
"The former priests existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently" (Hebrews 7:23-24).
Your High Priest is alive right now. The same Jesus who walked the earth, who died for you, who rose again—He is your High Priest at this very moment.
3. Jesus Offered One Perfect Sacrifice
The old priests offered thousands upon thousands of animal sacrifices over 1,500 years. None of them could truly remove sin.
But Jesus "offered one sacrifice for sins for all time" (Hebrews 10:12). Not bulls and goats, but Himself. And after making that sacrifice, He sat down at God's right hand.
Why did He sit down? Because the work was finished! The old priests never sat down—their work was never done. But Jesus's sacrifice was so perfect, so complete, so powerful that it accomplished what 1,500 years of animal sacrifices could never do.
4. Jesus Entered Heaven Itself
The old priests entered an earthly tabernacle. Once a year, the high priest would nervously enter the Holy of Holies, quickly sprinkle blood, and hurry back out.
But Jesus "entered heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us" (Hebrews 9:24).
Not a tent. Not even Solomon's magnificent Temple. Heaven itself. The real Holy of Holies. The actual throne room of God.
5. Jesus Understands Our Weaknesses
Jesus "was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
He knows what it's like to be tired, hungry, rejected, misunderstood, betrayed, mocked, and abandoned. He experienced every human weakness and temptation—except He never gave in.
This makes Him the perfect High Priest. He's sympathetic because He's been there. But He's also powerful because He overcame.
6. Jesus Intercedes for Us Constantly
Remember that beautiful picture of the high priest carrying the people's names over his heart? Jesus does something infinitely better. He carries your name on His heart right now.
"He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
Think about that. Right this second, Jesus Christ is praying for you before the Father's throne. He's interceding based on His own blood, His own righteousness, His own finished work.
7. Jesus Saves Completely
"He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him" (Hebrews 7:25).
Not temporarily. Not partially. Forever. Completely. Perfectly.
If you have come to God through Jesus Christ, you are saved forever. Not because you're good enough. Not because you'll hold on tight enough. But because He is good enough, and He holds you in His nail-scarred hands.
Part Six: What This Means for Your Life Today
You Have Confidence to Enter God's Presence
Under the old system, if you weren't a priest, you couldn't even enter the Temple's inner courts. But now?
"We have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus... Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith" (Hebrews 10:19, 22).
Confidence. Not fear. Full assurance. Not "maybe" or "I hope so."
Why? Because Jesus opened the way. When His flesh was torn on the cross, the veil was torn from top to bottom. The way into God's presence is now wide open.
You Are a Priest Yourself
Because of Jesus, you are now a priest.
"You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).
"He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father" (Revelation 1:6).
What does this mean practically? You can worship God directly. You can offer spiritual sacrifices. You can intercede for others in prayer. You have direct access to God through Christ.
You Can Rest in His Finished Work
Jesus, "having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).
He sat down. The work is finished.
Your salvation doesn't depend on what you do next. It depends on what He already did. You don't have to earn it, maintain it, or prove yourself worthy. He finished it.
You Have an Intercessor Who Never Fails
When you sin, you don't need to wonder if God will reject you. "If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).
When you're weak and struggling, you can "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16).
Your High Priest never sleeps, never forgets you, never loses interest, never fails.
Scripture References
- Exodus 28:29 - High priest carries names on breastplate
- Exodus 29:9 - Priesthood passes from father to son
- Exodus 32:1-4, 28 - Aaron and the golden calf
- Leviticus 10:1-2 - Nadab and Abihu's strange fire
- Leviticus 16:6, 15-16 - Day of Atonement sacrifices
- Leviticus 21:10 - High priest forbidden to tear garments
- Deuteronomy 9:20 - Moses intercedes for Aaron
- 1 Samuel 2:22-25, 29 - Eli's sons' wickedness
- 1 Samuel 4:17-18 - Eli's death
- 2 Kings 25:18-21 - Priests executed at exile
- Ezekiel 22:26 - Priests violated God's law
- Jeremiah 23:11 - Prophet and priest polluted
- Malachi 1:7-8 - Priests offering defiled sacrifices
- Malachi 2:7 - Priests should teach God's truth
- Matthew 26:65 - Caiaphas tears his garments
- Matthew 27:51 - Temple veil torn
- Mark 14:62 - Jesus declares His identity
- John 11:50 - Caiaphas's political calculation
- Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus our great High Priest
- Hebrews 7:11, 23-26 - Jesus's superior priesthood
- Hebrews 9:24 - Jesus entered heaven itself
- Hebrews 10:4, 12, 19-22 - One sacrifice, confidence to enter
- 1 Peter 2:9 - Believers are a royal priesthood
- Revelation 1:6 - Made us priests to God
- 1 John 2:1 - Jesus our Advocate
Conclusion
If you remember only one thing, remember this:
"We have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens" (Hebrews 8:1).
Not like Aaron, who made a golden calf. Not like Nadab and Abihu, who presumed on God. Not like Eli's sons, who exploited God's people. Not like Caiaphas, who rejected the Son of God.
But Jesus Christ— Holy, innocent, undefiled. Living forever. Perfect in every way. Sympathetic to our weaknesses. Powerful to save. Always interceding. Having entered heaven itself. Mediating a better covenant.
We have such a high priest. And because we have Him, we have everything we need.
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." —Hebrews 4:14-16