Understanding How Jesus Became Our High Priest
1. What was Christ’s original position in in relation to the Father in Heaven?
John 1:1–2
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Proverbs 30:4
4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
Philippians 2:5–6
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
2. What great work did He perform?
John 1:3
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Colossians 1:16–17
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
3. To what extent did He humble Himself?
John 1:14
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Philippians 2:7–8
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Note:
He, the Sin-bearer, endures the wrath of divine justice, and for your sake becomes sin itself. Into the world where Satan claimed dominion, God permitted His Son to come, a helpless baby, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
4. What led the Father to give His Son for such a work?
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Hebrews 2:10
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Note:
The heart of the human father yearns over his soul. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones.
5. How closely does Christ connect Himself with humanity?
Hebrews 2:11–12
11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.
6. With what feelings did He enter upon His great work?
Psalms 40:7–10
7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, 8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. 10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
Note:
This was a voluntary sacrifice. Jesus might have remained at the Father’s side. But He chose to give back the scepter into His Father’s hands, and to step down from the throne of the universe, that He might bring light to the benighted and life to the perishing.
7. What was necessary before Christ could enter upon His priestly work?
Hebrews 2:14–18
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 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. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
8. What must He learn before He could be a perfect high priest?
Hebrews 5:8–10
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
9. By what means?
Hebrews 2:10
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
10. Why was Jesus tempted in all points as we are?
Hebrews 2:18
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Note:
If we had to bear anything which Jesus did not endure, then upon this point Satan would represent the power of God as insufficient for us. Therefore Jesus was in all points tempted like as we are. He endured every trial to which we are subject. And He exercised in His own behalf no power that is not freely offered to us.
10. How severe were His temptations?
Hebrews 12:3–4
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
Philippians 2:7–8
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
11. When did Christ have such an experience? Of what was it a pledge?
Luke 22:44
44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Note:
The blood-drops of agony that from His wounded temples flowed down His face and beard were the pledge of His anointing with the oil of gladness as our great High Priest.
12. Why was Jesus treated so shamefully?
Isaiah 53:5
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Note:
Having taken man’s place, Jesus was treated as sinful man deserved. Spurrell’s Translation of 2 Sam. 7:14 reads: “Even in His suffering for iniquity, I will chasten Him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men.” By this treatment He was earning the right to become man’s advocate.
These experiences of suffering were to fit Him to be a merciful High Priest.
Heb. 5:1–2; 3:17
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
Heb. 7:28
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is perfected for evermore. (Marginal reading)
Closing Thought:
All things Christ received from God, but He took to give. So in the heavenly courts, in His ministry for all created beings: through the beloved Son, the Father’s life flows out to all; through the Son it returns, in praise and joyous service, a tide of love, to the great Source of all. And thus through Christ the circuit of beneficence is complete, representing the character of the great Giver, the law of life.
Summary:
The point of all the struggles in the life of Jesus is that He fully entered into our human experience, yet without sin. And He is not some distant Being that cannot understand our temptations and agony, but He said “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” so He is with us in every trial to help, comfort and strengthen us for all the burdens of life.
So because He was obedient even through those terrible struggles, He became our merciful and faithful High Priest to reconcile us to His Father. His sacrifice is presented to us as the means by which we overcome sin, fear and death, and are washed of all our unclean selfishness when we surrender to Him.
Then the invitation comes to us all. Come, join yourself to Jesus, the Son of God! He will bring us back to that Great Circuit of Love where the life of Christ ever flows!
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