“Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 2:17-3:1).
Introduction
The Book of Hebrews describes the Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest. What do we understand from this? Unfortunately whenever the word ‘priest’ is used we think of a cleric with a dog collar around his neck. The apostle Paul is actually directing us back to the Old Testament’s Levitical priesthood rather than any modern definition of the term. In Hebrews we are presented with the priestly ministry of Christ.
What is our High Priest to us?
Firstly, He is merciful. He is rich in compassion, love and mercy. Our God is full of tender mercy, “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” (James 5:11). His mercy is abundant, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3). His mercy is great, “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalm 145:8). Our High Priest knows exactly what we go through and supplies all that is needed to comfort and strengthen us. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
Secondly, He is faithful. Not one of His promises will fail. “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45), because “For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us” (2 Corinthians 1:20), and one of the chiefest being, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). We can trust Him at all times “for he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23). Even when we turn our eyes away from Him, He is ever willing to receive us back, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
What has our High Priest done for us?
Firstly, He has made propitiation for our sins. Propitiation is a sacrifice that turns away the wrath we deserved. There is only one way that such a thing can happen, and that is through the blood of Jesus Christ. “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Romans 3:25-26) … “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2) … “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).
Secondly, He aids those who are tempted. He is with us in our times of trial, testing and temptation. He is our Friend, “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:14-15), our Shepherd, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11), and Saviour, “For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:11). To be our high priest he must be in full sympathy with us, having experienced our trials and our sufferings. “Not only as God He knows our trials, but also as Man He knows them by experimental feeling” (Anon).
Conclusion
The Lord Jesus Christ is merciful and faithful. He is our Priest and Propitiation. He made atonement for our sins, and aids us in our trials. We ought to be forever thankful that He is our “Great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14), which indicates that He is superior to the earthly high priests described in the Old Testament or anyone ordain of men. Therefore, our trust is in Him alone.
© 14/4/2008