“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:17-18).
When God provides for humanity’s spiritual needs, it is always completely sufficient. Therefore, our need for accurate and complete spiritual knowledge is perfectly supplied in the Holy Scriptures. Our need for salvation from sin is perfectly supplied in Christ and His gospel. Our need for a High Priest who can release us from the bondage of thanatophobia (the fear of death—see yesterday’s post) is fully met in Immanuel.
These verses state four glorious truths about Jesus which sturdily undergird the undeniable fact that He is our all-sufficient High Priest.
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He is merciful. All human unrighteousness and ungodliness offends God and provokes His holy wrath. Without the reassurance of Jesus’ compassion and pity, being and remaining in God’s fellowship would be impossible. With Christ, it is not. Our High Priest is all-sufficient.
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He is faithful. Jesus never tires or takes a day off. He faithfully discharges His duties as our mediator. His track record is spotless and will remain so as long as God’s offer of redemption stands. Our High Pries is all-sufficient.
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He made propitiation. His atoning sacrifice satisfied the righteous demands of God’s wrath. God’s irreversible stamp of approval upon His once-for-all-time atonement for humanity’s sin is an empty tomb. Our High Priest is all-sufficient.
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He is able to aid. There is no situation of greater spiritual vulnerability than temptation. Yielding to Satan’s enticement results in sin, and sin brings forth death (James 1:13-15). In addition to providing the remedy to sin’s guilt, Jesus provides the sufficient assistance to prevent sin in our lives and avoid the devastation which comes with yielding to temptation. Because of His personal experience with human trials and temptations, He provides genuine, sufficient help. Our High Priest is all-sufficient.
Merciful. Faithful. Propitiation. Aid.
Four glorious facts which buttress the wonderful truth that our High Priest is all-sufficient.
