Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:17-18
God took on human flesh and came to earth to reveal Himself to us. Jesus walked this road of life and understands the pressures, temptations, and struggles that we all go through. While perfect in His own life, Jesus still has the capacity to sympathize with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15). He knows our frame and He is mindful that we are but dust (Psalm 103:14). It is for this reason that we can celebrate the fact that Jesus is now our Mediator, our Advocate, and our High Priest. We can now approach God, have a relationship with God, walk with and enjoy God all of the days of our life and on into eternity. Today’s passage tells us four things about Jesus as our High Priest.
- Jesus is merciful
To be merciful means that we are compassionate, forgiving, and gracious. Mercy is the epitome of what it means to love. God loves mankind. He sent Jesus to be our Savior. When we receive His love, forgiveness, and mercy into our lives, we are changed forever. This spiritual transformation allows us to exemplify the mercy of God as we show that same kind of mercy to others. Consider Jesus’ words regarding having a godly attitude and living a Christ-like lifestyle:
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:35-36
As believers, we are to be a witness to the mercy of God by practically demonstrating mercy to those around us…yes, even those who we believe do not deserve that consideration. Jesus is merciful!
- Jesus is faithful
To be faithful means that we are loyal, constant, and steadfast. Faithfulness is the epitome of consistency. Jesus can always be trusted because He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Consider these words regarding the faithfulness of Christ:
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful…
Hebrews 10:23
Just as we are to exemplify the mercy of God, we are also to be faithful to others in the same way that He has been faithful to us. When we are known to be a people who show mercy and one’s who can be trusted, we are moving ever closer to demonstrating to the world the character and nature of God. Jesus is faithful!
- Jesus became the propitiation for our sin
Jesus came to be the propitiation for our sin. Propitiation is an act of appeasing. Propitiation means that Jesus’ obedience on the cross satisfies the justice of God for our wrongdoing (Romans 5:18). Consider Paul’s words regarding the power of the cross:
For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.
Colossians 1:19-20
When we fully trust in Jesus’ obedience on the cross as the act that completely satisfies God and that His finished work of the cross is sufficient for us to have an abundant life here on earth and eternal life with God, then we discover the power behind propitiation. God loves us and has made a way for everyone to come to salvation in Christ! (John 7:37, Revelation 22:17).
- Jesus is able to come to our aid when we struggle in this life
Finally, Jesus is able to come to our aid. Consider the words of David as He describes the provision and protection of God:
“I love You, O Lord, my strength.” The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.
Psalm 18:1-3
As believers, God is our strength. He is our rock, our fortress, and our deliverer. He is a refuge and a shield. He is a stronghold and our very salvation. This is what it means to know God and to rest in Jesus Christ!
Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, why not do that now? No matter what you have done or where you have been, he waits for you to call on His name (Romans 10:13). Jesus is merciful and faithful and He will receive you as you surrender your life to Him!
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