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"A merciful and faithful High Priest..."

Text: Hebrews 2:17b

THE MINISTRY OF JESUS REVEALED IN THE GOSPELS

The ministry of Jesus was well-captured in the Gospels. Matthew highlighted three aspects:-

1. He came to save people from their sins (Cf. Matthew 1:21).

2. He came as Immanuel (“God with us”) (Cf.Matthew 1:23).

3. He came to be King and Shepherd (Cf. Matthew 2:2, 6)

THE MINISTRY OF JESUS REVEALED IN THE BOOK OF HEBREWS

The Book of Hebrews added other aspects of Jesus’ ministry. We may highlight four aspects:-

1. He was the unique Son of God who was the Living Word of God (Cf. Hebrews 1:2).

2. He sits enthroned after He had done the work of purging us from our sins (Cf. Hebrews 1:3).

3. He came to be totally identified with those who believed in Him (Cf. Hebrews 2:12-13).

4. He came to break the devil’s power over man’s fear of death (Cf. Hebrews 2:14).

The above may not be “new”. These aspects were implied in the Gospels, but were not elaborated by the Gospel writers.

INTRODUCTION OF A NEW ASPECT OF MINISTRY

We are now introduced to an aspect of ministry that the Gospels did not highlight at all. Jesus is introduced as our “merciful and faithful High Priest”.

1. The “High Priestly” ministry was not taken up by any of the Gospel writers.

2. In order to play this role, it was absolutely necessary for Jesus to be “made like His brethren”.

3. “Merciful and faithful”

a) Having donned flesh and blood Jesus would be able to understand how humans felt.

b) He would then be able to be “merciful” because He too had experienced all the limitations of “flesh and blood”.