Touching God With Our Infirmity

Heb 4:14-16 KJV Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus Christ is our High Priest living forever to intercede on our behalf. It is enlightening to study the role of the high priest in the Old Testament as see how it typifies our Lord, and Savior Who is now Our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedec.

THE HIGH PRIEST OF THE OLD TESTAMENT

The high priest’s qualifications

He was picked by God

Heb 5:1- 4 KJV For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Leviticus 21 gives a list of requirements qualifying one to be a high priest.

He was to be without defect;

undefiled by nearness to corpses;

no markings or cuts on his skin;

only take a wife who was a virgin, from his own people.

In similar manner our High Priest Jesus is perfect without blemish, and His bride is a church that is spotless without wrinkle or blemish.

Heb 7:23-26 KJV And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: 24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

Eph 5:25-27 KJV Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

The high priest’s job

The high priest appeared before God in the Most Holy Place once a year to offer a sacrifice for himself first and then the people on the Day of Atonement. He stripped himself of his fine garments, washed and put on white linen before entering the Most Holy Place to make his offering before God first for himself since he was also with sin, and then the people.

Our High Priest stripped Himself of His Glory and came among us. He identified with our weaknesses and infirmities. He was tempted like us so He knows how we feel and this touches Him. He is without sin and so He offered Himself for us not on earth but in heaven in the heavenly Holy of Holies.

Heb 2:17-18 KJV Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Heb 4:14-16 KJV Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 5:5-10 KJV 5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.