“Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

One of the momentous events in the history of the world is the Incarnation. The Son of God Who existed eternally in the past became a man without ceasing to be God. As John put it, “the Word Who was God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:1, 14). But why did God become flesh? Hebrews 2:14-18 gives us some answers. The eternal Son of God became a man that He might die! Through His death He destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. Through His death He also delivered those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. He also became a man that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in the things pertaining to God. As the high priests under the Old Covenant offered sacrifices for sins, so Christ offered Himself as a sacrifice to make propitiation for our sins. The Old Covenant high priest could have compassion on those who had sinned because he too was a sinner and subject to weakness (5:1-3). Because the Son of God became a man and suffered temptation, He is able to help us who are tempted! He can sympathize with our weakness, and as our great High Priest He has ascended back to heaven to intercede for us in the presence of God. Because of this, may we hold fast our confession firm to the end!