Explore the Bible Series for October 1: Seek forgiveness and mercy from High Priest

Posted: 9/21/06

Explore the Bible Series for October 1

Seek forgiveness and mercy from High Priest

• Hebrews 4:14-5:10

By Howard Anderson

Diversified Spiritual Associates, San Antonio

In the Old Testament, the high priest was the man appointed to represent the people before God. He dealt with sins and weaknesses by offering necessary sacrifices; however, as a link between God and humanity, the Old Testament priest never was enough. He was a shadow representing the coming perfect intermediary.

Jesus is both God and man and is an adequate link between the Father and us. When we fail and are ashamed, or when we are overwhelmed and desperately need help, we need never draw back. Jesus, human like us, will understand. Moreover, Jesus, God as is the Father, is able to aid. You should see Jesus, our High Priest, and put your trust in him.

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Jesus: Perfect high priest (Hebrews 4:14-16)

Jesus, our high priest, is not so lofty or separated that he is incapable of understanding our human situation. Rather, he is one who is very familiar with it, having been tempted at every turn of the road just as we have been. He can laugh and weep with us about life’s foibles and pain because he has been through it all, yet without falling before any of it.

Because we know such a Priest and Prince is on the throne of grace disbursing favor far beyond what we deserve, we can approach without fear or cowering, walking erect and receiving whatever resources we need to live life victoriously, overcoming every obstacle.

The tearing of the veil of the temple signified that the way into God’s presence was now open to all through a new and living way (Matthew 27:51). One whose strength is his graciousness occupies the throne. The Holy Spirit calls for all to come confidently before God’s throne to receive mercy and grace through Jesus Christ in a time of need (2 Corinthians 4:15).

Jesus: Appointed high priest (Hebrews 5:1-6)

In earlier times, the role of priest was unified with that of king or ruler. Melchizedek (5:6) was not only king of the city of Salem, but also priest in that city to the most high God. Later, Moses was instructed by God to appoint Aaron and his sons as the priests. The roles of priest and ruler were thereby separated.

Now in Jesus Christ, the two functions are again united in the Person of the Son—Prophet, Priest and King. This part of the messianic hope, in that a variety of roles would be brought together in the person of the Messiah, is clearly expressed in Psalm 110:2-4.

This reuniting of roles and people is by God’s initiative. The initiative is always with God. We humans may think we have initiated the quest for God and cast out dramatically on our journey to find “truth” and “God.” The truth is that even the desire to strike out in a search is a response to something God already created within us—a hunger for himself.

We are always the respondents to Jesus Christ’s initiative. So in the case of the high priesthood of Christ, the initiative was God’s, first in begetting the Son, and then in appointing him to the high priesthood.

The priesthood is not an office a man or woman takes—it is a privilege and a glory to which they are called. The ministry of God among humanity is neither a job nor a career but a calling. A person should not be able to look back and say, “I chose this work,” but rather, “God chose me and gave me this work to do.”

Jesus’ sonship and his priesthood were both by divine appointment (John 7:28). The two titles are titles of subordination concerning the fulfillment of the program of redemption. Neither office diminishes the eternal deity of Jesus or the equality of the Trinity. Psalm 2 recognizes the Son as both King and Messiah. Jesus is the King-Priest.

Jesus: Obedient high priest (Hebrews 5:7-10)

Jesus learned obedience in the school of suffering and through it became the source of eternal salvation. In Gethsemane, Jesus agonized and wept but committed himself to do the Father’s will in accepting the cup of suffering that would bring his death (Matthew 26:38-46). Anticipating bearing the burden of judgment for sin, Jesus felt its fullest pain and grief (Isaiah 53:3-5, 10). Though he bore the penalty in silence and did not seek to deliver himself from it (Isaiah 53:7), he did cry out from the agony of the fury of God’s wrath poured on his perfectly holy and obedient person (Matthew. 27:46).

Jesus did not need to suffer in order to conquer or correct any disobedience. As the Son of God, he understood obedience completely. He learned obedience for the same reason he bore temptation—to confirm his humanity and experience its suffering to the fullest (Luke 2:52). Jesus’ obedience also was necessary so he could fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 5:13) and thus prove to be the perfect sacrifice to take the place of sinners (1 Peter 3:18).

Because of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ and his perfect sacrifice for sin, he became the cause of salvation. True salvation evidences itself in obedience to Jesus Christ, from the initial obedience to the gospel command to repent and believe (Mark 1:15) to a life pattern of obedience to the Word (Romans 6:16).

Discussion questions

• How does Christ serve as our High Priest before God?

• How does knowing Christ intercedes for you affect your life?