Part 11

A second reason Paul gives for Jesus’ priestly superiority over Aaron is in regard to His own priestly sympathy. Because Jesus endured so much suffering and death in our stead, He is now perfectly acquainted with our tribulation, and thereby perfectly sympathetic to our heart’s cry for deliverance and salvation . Such compassion far outshines that of Aaron, for he mostly lived a life of high regard and privilege, scarcely relating to the sufferings and reproaches of those men “outside the camp” which he stood on behalf of (Heb. 13:13). Jesus is the only high priest to ever be put to the ultimate test, to ever bear the ultimate reproach, and to fully drink the cup of God’s wrath (Matt. 27:46; Heb. 12:2-3). He’s the only high priest to ever suffer the greatest of all agonies, and even sweat great drops of blood (Lk. 22:44). As a result, Jesus most-perfectly relates to mankind’s frail and needy state. He was far more tempted and far more smitten than Aaron, and therefore His high priestly fruit guarantees to be far sweeter. He alone knows the full price that had to be paid in order to “subdue all things unto himself” (Phil. 3:21; Lk. 22:46). His divine and tender heart, as a most-blessed result, now points directly at you and I!

“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: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way…” (Heb. 5:1-2).

“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” (Heb. 4:15).

To be honest, Aaron’s humanity is actually what hindered his priestly mediation! He was hindered on the divine side because he was conceived in iniquity (Ps. 51:5; 58:3). Much to the contrary, we find the Lord Jesus’ suffering to be that which betters His office! What marvelous and superior fruit! Our Lord has capitalized on Gus journey to hell’s depths! Much fruit has been grown toward His body. I find it amazing that one priest’s hindrance can become another priest’s fruit!

“For in that [Jesus] himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Heb. 2:18).

“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all” (Ps. 34:15-19).

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 24-25).

How thankful we should be that Jesus perfectly sympathizes with the boundaries of our human flesh (Job 5:19; Ps. 34:15-19). He tasted great temptation Himself, and, as such, now lights the way of way of His escape! He becomes most-compassionate toward our struggles, and thereby furnishes the strength required to fix our every weakness! He provides each and every measure of grace that mankind needs to likewise overcome (2 Cor. 12:7-10)!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13).

“The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Pet. 2:9).

To be continued…