Jesus the Priest, part 2

In the Old Testament they were a separate people. Of all the tribes, only the priestly tribe was different. They were called to serve God in the temple, acting as a go-between for God and His people. The priests would live in separate cities, eat the meat and grains of special sacrifices, they’d wear special clothes, and act in special ways. God had made a promise to His people, and the priests were expected to hold up man’s part of the promise. They said prayers for the people, carried out the duties of the temple, and offered up sacrifices for the nation. They were a chosen people, selected by call, called apart by God from the people. 

The same is sometimes true for priests and pastors today; some act as though they are not quite like everyone else. Some pretend that they are smarter, holier, or wiser than their fellow man. But the good news for us this Advent Season is that we have a High Priest, who was born in Bethlehem, who is, in a very important way, just like us. 
 

Hebrews 4:14 - 5:10 “Therefore, since we have a Great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. 

Hebrews 5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, ‘You are my Son; today I have become Your Father.’

6 And He says in another place, ‘You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.’ 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered 9 and once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him 10 and was designated by God to be High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.” 
 

Friends, Jesus is our ‘Great High Priest.’ He was born in a stable, into a human body, just like you and me, to be our Priest. He was not one who is far removed and unable to understand us; but, one who is in every way like us. He was born like we were, He lived like us, He thought like us, He was flesh and blood like we are. 

In fact, let’s read how the author of Hebrews describes Jesus. Hebrews 2:17 says, “For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in service to God, and that He might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” 
 

Unlike a priest who was separated from the people, unlike a pastor who is unable to understand the temptations and struggles that the flock is going through; Jesus was born like us and lived like us so that He could be a priest to us. Jesus is our High Priest and He is able to help us because He can relate to us.

Continued tomorrow