May 17th 2019 – Hebrews 7:26-28

"26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever."

Hebrews 7:26-28

The force of 'became us' in 26 is, as J.B. Phillips puts it, 'Here is the High Priest we need', perfectly fitted to our condition and need. This is true in more than one way. It is certainly true in terms of His Saviourhood, because only a holy Saviour could make atonement for sin. But it is also true in this sense, that only a holy Saviour could have compassion on us for our sins. This is not always or even often true with men, for holiness in men can take a forbidding turn, so that the more holy they are the less approachable they become. Now, the ultimate test of the reality of our sanctification is that sinners should find us approachable, people they can come to in their need, not easily shocked, and above all not censorious. Such an one is Christ, our Great High Priest, Who is at once completely firm with us and wonderfully gentle. This is what true holiness is and does, and this is how it should look in us. One of the deepest lessons in the spiritual life that we can ever learn is that the more holy and separate the life we lead, if it is real and authentic, the closer we will come to those who need our help and the closer they will come to us. But to be so sanctified in the other sense that men are frightened to approach us is at once our failure and our condemnation. Not for nothing does this Apostle emphasise the humanity of this Divine High Priest.