2 reasons to entrust ourselves to our sympathetic high priest
I. God Provided a Way for His People to Draw Near to Him
A. High priests were appointed as intercessors
Hebrews 5:1 - For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins…
B. They could sympathize with weaknesses
Hebrews 5:2-3 - …he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself.
Jeremiah 3:15 - Then I will give you shepherds after My own heart, who will feed you on knowledge and understanding.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 - We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
C. It was a great honor to be commissioned into this role
Hebrews 5:4 - And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.
Acts 20:28 - Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
II. Jesus Fulfills the Role as Our Perfect High Priest
A. His role is authoritative and eternal
Hebrews 5:5-6 - So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You”; just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
B. His offering is compassionate and exemplary
Hebrews 5:7 - In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.
Hebrews 2:17-18 - 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.
C. He took on our weakness to give us His strength
Hebrews 5:8-9a - Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect…
Philippians 2:8 - Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Hebrews 7:26-28 - For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.
D. He offers eternal salvation to those who obey Him
Hebrews 5:9b-10 - He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Matthew 11:28-30 - Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
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