perfect propitiation

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.​  Hebrews 2:17

Jesus had to be one of us in order to represent us before God. He has to be human in every respect (yet without sin). He knows our feelings, our needs, our joys, our wants, our desires, our troubles, our pains, and our temptations. In that human identity He is our “brother”.

And in that identity He could become the final “high priest” able to intercede before God as both human and divine in the perfect way. He did this according to this verse in three important ways.

First, Jesus is a merciful High Priest. Mercy treats us better than our sins deserve. It does not bring judgment on us, though we have clearly sinned against God. Mercy, in love, pours judgment on Jesus for the sake of restoring relationship with us. It sees relationship as more important than our personal punishment. Jesus has mercy on us in His high priestly sacrificial service for us. His mercy took God’s wrath for us.

Secondly, Jesus is a faithful High Priest. His mercy and sacrifice never fail. They are always effective, always available, and always accomplish our cleansing and our salvation. A faithful High Priest is always there for us. Not once does He refuse to forgive. Not once does He withhold mercy for those who repent and believe the gospel. Not once does He refuse to forgive those who come to Him for their hope and salvation.

Thirdly, the sacrifice of Jesus covers and pays our sin-debt in full. That is what it means that He makes “propitiation for the sins of the people”. He mercifully and faithfully before God covers all my sin… all the sin of all those who come to Him for mercy, forgiveness, grace, and life!

O Jesus,

Great High Priest we come to You alone for atonement of our sins. You wash us clean in the blood of Your sacrifice. You offered Yourself once-for-all as both a merciful, faithful high priest and the perfect sacrifice for sins. You are our peace before God the Father. You cover my sin even now, and even as I fail, You are perfect. Jesus, I trust in You and Your perfect propitiation!

Amen