Topical Bible: The High Priest: Typified Christ in Being Liable to Temptation

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In the Old Testament, the role of the high priest was central to the religious life of Israel. The high priest served as the chief mediator between God and the people, offering sacrifices for sins and entering the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the nation (Leviticus 16). This sacred office was a foreshadowing of the ultimate High Priest, Jesus Christ, who would fulfill and perfect the role through His life, death, and resurrection.

Liability to Temptation

One of the key aspects of the high priest's role was his identification with the people he served. The high priest was chosen from among men and was subject to the same weaknesses and temptations as those he represented. This is highlighted in Hebrews 5:1-2 : "Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is beset by weakness."

This human frailty and susceptibility to temptation made the high priest a fitting type of Christ, who, though sinless, was also subject to temptation. Hebrews 4:15 affirms this connection: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin."

Christ's Temptation

The Gospels provide accounts of Jesus' temptation, most notably in the wilderness where He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). These temptations were real and intense, yet Jesus emerged victorious, demonstrating His perfect obedience and sinlessness. This victory over temptation was essential for His role as the High Priest, as it qualified Him to offer Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin.

Sympathy and Intercession

Christ's experience with temptation enables Him to sympathize with our struggles. As Hebrews 2:17-18 states, "For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, in order to make atonement for the sins of the people. Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted."

This identification with human weakness and temptation is a source of comfort and strength for believers. Jesus, as our High Priest, not only understands our struggles but also intercedes for us before the Father, providing the grace and mercy we need in times of trial (Hebrews 4:16).

Conclusion

The high priest of the Old Testament, with his human frailty and liability to temptation, serves as a profound type of Christ. Jesus, the ultimate High Priest, fully identifies with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way yet without sin. His victory over temptation and His ongoing intercession provide believers with the assurance of His sympathy and support in their own battles with sin and temptation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 2:18
For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... and, like Joshua, by whom he was remarkably typified, to lead ... to take him to be our
prophet, priest, and king ... it surprise a man, when the Most High is about to ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the knowledge of jesus christ.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Augustin, St., when ordained Priest or Presbyter, [427]347 ... Paul, [1325]388; Christ's
was true, [1326]389; not ... 1376]461, [1377]462, [1378]493; typified by the ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

Letter cxxv. To Rusticus.
... to earth, the four corners of which typified the four ... had a religious mother and
his father was a priest. ... passage: "whoso casteth a stone on high casteth it on ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxv to rusticus.htm