Christ’s High Priesthood—SUPERIOR TO AARON—Must be Man—mUST have been appointed by God—Their Low Spiritual Perceptions prevents Paul saying all he might on Christ’s Melchisedec-like Priesthood. Heb. 5:1-14
“The subject of the priestly office of Christ is continued and further illustrated. It had been introduced ch. 2:16, 18; ch. 3:1; ch. 4:14–16. “In the course of the section he makes it evident that whatever was essential to the office of a high priest was to be found in Christ Jesus, that whatever imperfections belonged to the Aaronical high priesthood were not to be found in Him, and that a variety of excellencies were to be found in Him of which none of the Aaronical priests were possessed,” (Dr. J. Brown).
“Hebrews 4:14, let us note that the Lord Jesus is designed a “great High Priest.” This word at once emphasizes His excellency and pre-eminency. Never was there, never can there be another, possessed of such dignity and glory. The “greatness” of our High Priest arises, First, from the dignity of His person: He is not only Son of man, but Son of God (Heb. 4:14). Second, from the purity of His nature: He is “without sin” (Heb. 4:15), “holy,” (Heb. 7:26). Third, from the eminency of His order: that of Melchizedek (Heb. 5:6). Fourth, from the solemnity of his ordination: “with an oath” (Heb. 7:20, 21)—none other was. Fifth, from the excellency of His sacrifice: “Himself, without spot” (Heb. 9:14). Sixth, from the perfection of His administration (Heb. 7:11, 25)—He has satisfied divine justice, procured Divine favor, given access to the Throne of Grace, secured eternal redemption. Seventh, from the perpetuity of His office: it is untransferable and eternal (Heb. 7:24). From these we may the better perceive the blasphemous arrogancy of the Italian pope, who styles himself “pontifex maximus”—the greatest high priest.” Pink Arthur W
- 1-4. The verses just quoted above contain a general description of the Levitical high priests. Five things are here said concerning them. First, he must be “taken from among men,” that is, he must partake of the nature of those on whose behalf he acts. ch. 10:11, Ex. 28:1, etc.; 29:1, etc. Lev. 8:2 The Divine Incarnation was an imperative necessity if salvation was to be secured for God’s elect. “It was necessary for Christ to become a real man, for as we are very far from God, we stand in a manner before Him in the person of our Priest, which could not be were He not one of us. Hence, that the Son of God has a nature in common with us does not diminish His dignity, but commends it the more to us; for He is fitted to reconcile us to God, because He is man” (John Calvin) Second, he acted not as a private individual, but as a public official: “is ordained for men.” ch. 8:3; 2:17. Nu. 16:46–48; 18:1–3. Beautifully is that brought out in Ex. 28:9, 12, 15, 17, 21, 29, that book whose theme is redemption. There we read, Take two onyx stones with the names of the children of Israel … and put them upon the shoulders of the ephod…and Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord …Make the breastplate…and set in it setting of stones …with the names of the children of Israel … And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breast-plate of judgment upon his heart…unto the holy place, for a memorial before the Lord continually. Concerning the high priest being “ordained for men” we are told in Lev. 16:21, “Aaron shall lay both his hands upon the head and confess over him all the iniquities…” The application to Christ these words, “in things pertaining to God” distinguishes our Lord’s priesthood from His other offices.
