The principal, primary work of Christ as our great High Priest was to make reconciliation, or atonement, for the sins of his people. He is "merciful and faithful in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
The High Priest is one who reconciles God and his sinful people by making an atonement for the sins of the people. This reconciliation, or atonement for sin, is the great work of Christ our great High Priest (1 John 2:1-2). His atonement for sin is the foundation and source of all his other works as our High Priest.
By the sacrifice of himself at Calvary as our Substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ has faithfully executed his office as our High Priest in things pertaining to God and effectually reconciled us to God by the blood of his cross; for by that precious blood he has put away our sins (Heb. 9:12, 28; Rom. 3:24-26). Atonement has been made, reconciliation has been accomplished by the sacrifice of Christ at Calvary. If we are to understand the nature of our Lord's sacrifice and the efficacy of his atonement, certain questions must be answered.
WHO WAS THE SACRIFICER?Christ is the Priest. Christ is the Altar. And Christ is the Sacrifice. Christ offered himself to God. He gave himself an offering and a sacrifice of sweet smelling savor (Heb. 9:14; Eph. 5:2). It is true, the sword of justice slew our Savior; but he is the One in whose hand the sword of justice is, for he is God. Our Lord was not made to die by any hand but his own. He gave up the ghost. He laid down his life by his own will.
WHAT WAS THE SACRIFICE BY WHICH ATONEMENT WAS MADE?Christ gave himself, body and soul, into the hands of justice, to die as a man for our sins. He laid down his life for us (John 10:17-18; 1 John 3:16).
His human nature was the sacrifice. His divine nature was the altar which sanctified the gift and gave it virtue and efficacy to atone for sin.
TO WHOM WAS THE SACRIFICE FOR SIN OFFERED?Our Lord did not offer himself to Satan. Neither does he offer himself to man. He, by the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice for sin (Heb. 9:14). Sin is committed against God. Therefore the sacrifice must be made to God. It is God whose justice must be satisfied.
FOR WHOM WAS THE SACRIFICE OFFERED?It was offered for "the people", Christ's brethren, his elect, "the seed of Abraham. " Aaron was not a high priest for all men in general, but for all of Israel in particular. And Christ is not a Priest for all men in general, but for the people of God, the Israel of God, in particular. Our Lord Jesus Christ offered sacrifice for those for whom he makes intercession (John 17:9, 20). He offered sacrifice for those whose sins are purged, for whom atonement has been made, who are actually reconciled to God by his blood. The sacrifice was offered for those who by faith receive the atonement (Rom. 5:11). WHAT IS THE RESULT OF CHRIST'S SIN ATONING SACRIFICE?
The Son of God is a High Priest of good things to come (Heb. 9:11). So what good things come to his people as the result of his priesthood and his sacrifice?
Those who weaken, oppose, or deny the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice and the reconciliation he has made are enemies to the souls of men, enemies to the honor of Christ, and enemies to the glory of God. Either the Son of God accomplished redemption for his people and effectually reconciled them to God, or he is no Savior. There is absolutely no alternative. Either the Lord Jesus has actually redeemed his people by the sacrifice of himself, or he is a failure; and if he is a failure he is not the Son of God and we are yet in our sins. The doctrine of universal redemption, by whatever name it is called, is utter blasphemy. The Christ of God, whom we rejoice to worship, is an almighty, effectual, sin-atoning High Priest and Savior.