His Victory is our Victory
“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”
Hebrews 2:17
I’ve just spent a semester immersed in the letter to the Hebrews, which opened my eyes to the pastor’s heart for his congregation, and his desire for them to acknowledge the victory that comes from Jesus being our merciful and faithful high priest. It’s a longing that echoes through all generations of saints, as we desire to grow in our faith in Jesus.
Hebrews powerfully uses the Old Testament to compare and contrast the Levitical sacrificial system with the sacrifice of Jesus. The old system called for the high priest to offer repeated sacrifices, and they only cleansed the Israelites externally. Yet Jesus’ sacrifice was once for all and cleanses the conscience of all who believe in him.
Jesus humbled himself as a man, was obedient to death on a cross for our sins, was resurrected, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for those he has created.
With Jesus as both our sacrifice (the lamb) and sacrificer (the high priest), we therefore share in his victory and, as a result, can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). We have much to be grateful for!