Post by Nicodemus on Apr 15, 2004 19:34:35 GMT -5
WHAT KIND OF HIGH PRIEST DO WE HAVE IN JESUS?
What a wealth of meaning is compressed into those six monosyllables: "We have such an high Priest." The whole epistle is taken up with this theme:
CHRIST is described as being a powerful HIGH PRIEST, for "In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
He is a merciful HIGH PRIEST, for He knows all the frailties of His people, and meets their every need (Heb. 2:17).
He is a faithful HIGH PRIEST, both to GOD and man. Unlike Aaron, He is incapable of failure. He never fails in the fulfilment of His promies, or in the execution of His duties. He never slumbers nor sleeps, but ever lives to accomplish His gracious purposes (Heb. 2:17).
He is a sympathetic HIGH PRIEST, for He is touched with all the "feeling of our infirmities"; and was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). CHRIST was "the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). He knows what it means to be weary, to hunger and thirst, to be betrayed and forsaken, to suffer agony and to die. The child of GOD is therefore assured of both a sympathetic ear and an understanding heart from his REPRESENTATIVE.
He is an ever-living HIGH PRIEST. "Death hath no more dominion over him" (Rom. 6:9). He lives in "the power of an endless life;" and is therefore untiring and unceasing in His activities on behalf of His own. Thus His people are being "saved to the uttermost" through His ceaseless intercession on their behalf (Heb. 7:25).
Then He is an exalted HIGH PRIEST, for He is described as "a great high Priest," and One who has been "made higher than the heavens" (Heb. 4:14; 7:26). How great He is, no finite mind will ever comprehend:
"The FATHER only -- glorious claim --
The SON can comprehend."
Lastly, He is an eternal HIGH PRIEST, for He is made "an high Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 6:20).
Surely, "We have such an high Priest!"
What a wealth of meaning is compressed into those six monosyllables: "We have such an high Priest." The whole epistle is taken up with this theme:
CHRIST is described as being a powerful HIGH PRIEST, for "In that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:18).
He is a merciful HIGH PRIEST, for He knows all the frailties of His people, and meets their every need (Heb. 2:17).
He is a faithful HIGH PRIEST, both to GOD and man. Unlike Aaron, He is incapable of failure. He never fails in the fulfilment of His promies, or in the execution of His duties. He never slumbers nor sleeps, but ever lives to accomplish His gracious purposes (Heb. 2:17).
He is a sympathetic HIGH PRIEST, for He is touched with all the "feeling of our infirmities"; and was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. 4:15). CHRIST was "the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isa. 53:3). He knows what it means to be weary, to hunger and thirst, to be betrayed and forsaken, to suffer agony and to die. The child of GOD is therefore assured of both a sympathetic ear and an understanding heart from his REPRESENTATIVE.
He is an ever-living HIGH PRIEST. "Death hath no more dominion over him" (Rom. 6:9). He lives in "the power of an endless life;" and is therefore untiring and unceasing in His activities on behalf of His own. Thus His people are being "saved to the uttermost" through His ceaseless intercession on their behalf (Heb. 7:25).
Then He is an exalted HIGH PRIEST, for He is described as "a great high Priest," and One who has been "made higher than the heavens" (Heb. 4:14; 7:26). How great He is, no finite mind will ever comprehend:
"The FATHER only -- glorious claim --
The SON can comprehend."
Lastly, He is an eternal HIGH PRIEST, for He is made "an high Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb. 6:20).
Surely, "We have such an high Priest!"
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