0895. The Conditions of Christ's Priesthood

The Conditions of Christ's Priesthood

"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" (Heb_5:1).

There are certain things which were necessary before our Lord could take upon Himself the office of High Priest.

1. Christ took upon Him the seed of Abraham. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same; * * For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham" (Heb_2:14-16). Christ became the son of Abraham and was made in all points like unto His brethren, that He might become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of His people. Had Jesus Christ not become man, He could not have become priest. "For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham" (Heb_2:16).

2. Christ was appointed an High Priest. "Wherefore, holy brethren, * * consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus; * * Who was faithful to Him that appointed Him" (Heb_3:1-2). The high priests of old were a designated, appointed people. They were a people separated unto the priestly office. Jesus Christ was also appointed or ordained an High Priest. For every high priest taken from among men is ordained of God. So also was "Jesus Christ" ordained an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. After the similitude of Melchisedec, Jesus Christ arose a priest "Who is made, not after the Law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life." For He testifieth, "Thou art an high priest forever, after the order of Melchisedec." Thus the Lord Jesus Christ is at the right hand of God, our representative, appointed by the Father: Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec" (Heb_5:10). Surely this One, with an untransferable priesthood, is able to take charge of our affairs and no one needs to fear to commit their all unto Him for safe keeping.

3. Christ was a High Priest in the things pertaining to God. Heb_2:17-18 : "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. For in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, He is able to succour them that are tempted."

In order to fully represent us before God as a merciful and faithful High Priest Jesus Christ was made like unto His brethren.

He now can succor them that are tempted in that He Himself suffered, being tempted. We must remember that the temptations of our Lord were apart from sin. However while He was the impeccable Christ; He was also the Christ Who suffered, and is, therefore, the sympathetic Christ. "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" (Heb_4:15).

Jesus Christ became a man, and while a man He passed, apart from sin, through much the same experience that we, His brethren, meet every day. He knew what it was to be poor; He knew what it was to suffer hunger and weariness and pain: He knew what is was to be misunderstood and maligned; He knew what it was to be met by the trials of the trivial task and the daily round, therefore He is, in Glory, a High Priest both merciful and faithful in the things pertaining to God. "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in a time of need" (Heb_4:16).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR