The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). This profound truth leads an honest reader to ponder what Jesus’ earthly existence was like.
In the incarnation of Jesus, Christians understand that God identified with his people. The details of this identification are important enough that the author of Hebrews writes about it at length.
Our Great High Priest
In Hebrews 4 and 5, the author writes about Jesus’ high priesthood. Jesus is our “great high priest who has passed through the heavens” (Heb 4:14). He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses because he has been tempted in every respect as we are. Yet in all his temptations, he didn’t sin (Heb 4:15).
Because of this, we can draw near with confidence to the “throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb 4:16).
The original recipients of this epistle were much more familiar with what we think of as the “Old Testament” priesthood. The author calls Jesus a great high priest and then makes it clear what he means.
High priests “chosen from among men” are “appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1). They are themselves weak, so they can “deal gently with the ignorant and wayward” (Heb 5:2). These priests must offer sacrifices for their own sins before sacrificing for the people (Heb 5:3). And no one volunteers for this—they must be called by God like Aaron (Heb 5:4).
How is Jesus like and unlike these more familiar high priests?
Jesus is a Priest-King
Like Aaron, Jesus was appointed to his position (Heb 5:5). The author quotes Psalm 2:7 regarding this appointment. However, this is not a text referring to any sort of priest! Psalm 2 is thought of as a royal coronation psalm, detailing the installation of a king. (I have written more extensively about how the title “Son of God” in Scripture is used to refer to kings.)
That kingly reference may feel surprising in the context of Hebrews. But it is confirmed in the next verse: Jesus was also appointed when God said, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek” (Heb 5:6). This quotation of Psalm 110 refers to the mysterious figure who appeared briefly in Genesis 14:18–20 as both a priest and a king. (Melchizedek knew God’s promises to Abram and blessed Abram, and Abram tithed to Melchizedek.)
If we look back a few verses, it’s clear we should have seen this coming. The author encourages his readers to draw near to Jesus’ throne of grace (Heb 4:16), which is furniture for a king, not a priest.
Jesus Identifies With Us
So Jesus is like other high priests in that he was appointed and offers sacrifice for sin. He is unlike other priests (except for Melchizedek) because he is also a king.
One beautiful part of the description of high priests in Heb 5:2 is that they can deal gently with the people because they share the same weaknesses. We know that Jesus sympathizes with our sinful weaknesses (Heb 4:15), but he does not share them. Does this make him more distant?
No. The author of Hebrews argues that Jesus identifies with us as a fellow sufferer, not as a fellow sinner. Jesus prayed with “loud cries and tears” in hope that he would be saved from death (Heb 5:7). He “learned obedience through what he suffered” (Heb 5:8).
Like all humans, Jesus had to depend on God in his suffering. He showed this radical dependence in his passionate prayers and his trust in God to deliver him from death.
The Source of Salvation to Those Who Obey
We might ask what difference it makes that Jesus is both priest and king. I suspect the readers of this letter were wondering the same thing.
It makes a massive difference!
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him. (Heb 5:9).
As a priest, Jesus offered sacrifice for sin. The perfect sacrifice he offered was himself. But a mere priest does not make laws, command obedience, or rule—that is a king’s domain.
So, as a king, Jesus commands us to obey him in his gospel. This primarily means believing the gospel and trusting him. And the ruler of the earth then declares (as the king) that all who trust in him—having made an offering for sin (as the priest) of himself (as the sacrifice)—shall be eternally saved.
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