Merciful and Faithful Priest
Having established his priestly qualifications, Hebrews presents Jesus as the High Priest who intercedes faithfully and sympathetically for his people. He participated fully in the nature and sufferings common to all men, therefore, his priestly intercession for his “brethren” is characterized by compassion for them. The “Son” experienced the same death that is common to all men, and in doing so, he qualified for the priesthood “after the order of Melchizedek” even though he was not a member of the Tribe of Levi. What set him apart from other men was his sinlessness.
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The phrase in the following passage, “flesh and blood,” is a Semitic expression that refers to human mortality - man in his weakened mortal state. Since believers are subject to death, Jesus “partook” of the same fate.
- “Seeing, therefore, the children have received a fellowship of blood and flesh, he also in like manner took partnership in the same, in order that, through death he might paralyze him that held the dominion of death, that is, the Adversary, and might release these, as many as by fear of death were all their lifetime liable to bondage For not surely of messengers is he laying hold, but of Abraham’s seed he is laying hold. Whence he was obliged in every way unto the brethren to be made like, that he might become a merciful and faithful high–priest in the things pertaining unto God, for the making of propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that he suffered when tested he is able unto them who are being tested to give succour” - (Hebrews 2:14-18 – The Emphasized Bible).
The Devil had the “dominion”
of death or kratos (Strong’s - #G2904). In Greek, it is a
strong term that denotes “hold, power, force, dominion.” The English term “tyranny”
best captures the sense intended by the Letter.
Paradoxically, through his own
death, he invalidated this “tyranny,” and now, Jesus is “laying hold
of” the “seed of Abraham.” The clause alludes to a passage in the
Book of Isaiah:
- “But thou, Israel, my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the SEED OF ABRAHAM my friend, thou whom I have taken hold of from the ends of the earth, and called from the corners thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away” - (Isaiah 41:8-9 – The Emphasized Bible).
Because he endured the same trials
and sufferings as his “brethren,” he is well-equipped to help them when
they are “tested.” Under discussion is not so much humanity in general,
but the followers of Jesus in particular, which explains the use of the term, “Seed
of Abraham.”
SOLIDARITY WITH MEN
The Son was obliged to be made
like his brethren “in every way.” For him to become the “merciful and
faithful High Priest,” it was necessary to have the same nature and
experiences as his “brethren” whether positive or negative.
Solidarity with humanity is
mandatory for the office of the High Priest since he represents men before God,
and therefore, he must be one with them. Under the Levitical system, faithfulness by the priest was
vital to the proper performance of his priestly service - (1 Samuel 2:35,
Hebrews 8:3).
As our High Priest, Jesus expiates
the sins of his people (hilaskesthai – Strong’s #G2433). Here, the noun “sins”
is in the accusative case since it is the direct object of the verb hilaskesthai.
What our High Priest “expiates”
are the sins that separate men from God. More specifically, he removes the
uncleanness, the stain caused by sin that leaves them unclean and defenseless in
the presence of God. Thus, Jesus “achieved the purification of sin.”
The passage presents four reasons
why it was necessary for him to receive the same sentence of death as the rest
of humanity.
First, to experience death on
behalf of others. Second, to bring God’s “many sons to glory.” Third, to
achieve victory over the Devil and liberate believers from the tyranny of the fear
of death. And fourth, to qualify the Son as our faithful and compassionate High
Priest.
Unlike Adam, Jesus did not
trespass the commandment of God, therefore, he was without “blemish.” But
in all other respects, he was as human as the next man. Because he suffered as
all men do, only “apart from sin,” he is now qualified to be our “faithful
and sympathetic High Priest.”
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