"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."
In the Old Testament, the high priest was the only one who could enter the holy of holies (the presence of the Holy God) in the temple to offer prayers and sacrifice for the forgiveness of the people's sins. God required the sacrifice of a perfect animal to anyone for sin. The Life Application Bible says, "The costly sacrifice of the animal's life impressed upon the people sinner the seriousness of his or her sin before God." God considered the offering of a sacrifice an act of faith and obedience. He took away their sin and regarded them as clean. The high priest stood between Holy God and sinful people.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ took on human flesh to become like us. Entirely human (Son of Man), Jesus became our representative before God (our high priest). Being fully God (Son of God), Jesus never sinned and was also the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1–18). Instead of punishing all of humanity, God the Son himself took the punishment we deserve. God the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice for our sins (resurrected Jesus), so we are forgiven, cleansed, and approved to dwell in the presence of our Holy Father God. Jesus became like us so we can become like Him. When we commit our faith to Jesus' high priestly work on the cross, we become children of God. God welcomes us into His holy presence to live, pray, and enjoy His pleasure and blessings.
Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming like me so I can live eternally with you. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, [we] hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming like me so that every morning when I awake, I can live a new, resurrected day with God. Lord, forgive me for only celebrating Easter once a year. Every day is Easter with my Superior High Priest. Lord Jesus, because you became human like me, I can pray like you, Father God, not my will, but Your will be done in everything I do today. In Jesus', my High Priest's name, amen.
Daily Devotion
Jesus became like us so we can become like Him.
Hebrews 2:17 NASB95
"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."
In the Old Testament, the high priest was the only one who could enter the holy of holies (the presence of the Holy God) in the temple to offer prayers and sacrifice for the forgiveness of the people's sins. God required the sacrifice of a perfect animal to anyone for sin. The Life Application Bible says, "The costly sacrifice of the animal's life impressed upon the people sinner the seriousness of his or her sin before God." God considered the offering of a sacrifice an act of faith and obedience. He took away their sin and regarded them as clean. The high priest stood between Holy God and sinful people.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ took on human flesh to become like us. Entirely human (Son of Man), Jesus became our representative before God (our high priest). Being fully God (Son of God), Jesus never sinned and was also the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:1–18). Instead of punishing all of humanity, God the Son himself took the punishment we deserve. God the Father accepted Jesus' sacrifice for our sins (resurrected Jesus), so we are forgiven, cleansed, and approved to dwell in the presence of our Holy Father God. Jesus became like us so we can become like Him. When we commit our faith to Jesus' high priestly work on the cross, we become children of God. God welcomes us into His holy presence to live, pray, and enjoy His pleasure and blessings.
Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming like me so I can live eternally with you. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, [we] hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Lord Jesus, thank you for becoming like me so that every morning when I awake, I can live a new, resurrected day with God. Lord, forgive me for only celebrating Easter once a year. Every day is Easter with my Superior High Priest. Lord Jesus, because you became human like me, I can pray like you, Father God, not my will, but Your will be done in everything I do today. In Jesus', my High Priest's name, amen.