Although the book of Hebrews has been greatly ignored
by Christian scholars andlaymen alike, it contains some of
the most important,basic doctrines in the Bible. Spiritual subjects that are scarcely mentioned by other writers have been fully explained by the author of Hebrews.
Perhaps the reason for its general neglect is twofold.
First, it leans very heavily upon Old Testament imagery
and typology. Many modem Christians seem to feel that
it doesn’t fit in with the tone of gospel freedom
enunciated in Paul’s other epistles.
Secondly, the book may be shunned because it
contains some very clear statements that seem to
conflict with positions held by the majority of Protestant
Christians. Three of those areas of controversy are
woven throughout the book of Hebrews. Although at
first glance they may seem to be quite unrelated to
each other, these three subjects are very closely tied
together. The nature of Christ’s humanity, the high
priestly work of Jesus in the heavenly sanctuary, and
the subject of perfection are interrelated themes of truth
in the book of Hebrews.
The first two chapters are devoted in general to the
position and nature of Christ before and after His
incarnation. Chapter three begins to talk about the role
of Jesus as the true High Priest in contrast to the
earthly ministry of human priests. That theme carries
through the next ten chapters, and within those
chapters the term “perfect,” or forms of it, are used
nine times.
Now let us try to discover how these three major
threads of doctrine—Christ’s human nature, His
priesthood, and the perfection of God’s people—are
really part of the same great truth.
Many scholars have puzzled over Paul’s extended
explanation in chapter two of Christ’s total assumption
of man’s fallen nature. He makes unequivocal
statements that go far beyond any other inspired
description of the incarnation. Verse 11 tells us that
“he that sanctifies and they who are sanctified are all of
one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them
brethren.” In other words, Christ took the same kind of
body that His human brothers possessed. The Sanctifier
(Christ) and the sanctified (man) are all of the
same physical nature, and can truly be called brethren.
The point is enlarged in the next verse, “Forasmuch
then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood,
he also himself likewise took part of the same.” Verse
14. Then comes the strongest statement of all, and one
that could be made only by a person speaking under
the direct inspiration of God, “Wherefore in all things it
behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he
might be a merciful and faithful high priest.” Verse 17.
Paul dares to say that it was almost an obligation for
Jesus to become, through this physical birth, just like
the human family whom He had come to save. Such
audacity was undoubtedly rooted in his perfect
assurance that he was setting forth the very thought of
God.
Please notice how the foundation is being laid for the
chapters that follow. Here we find the theological
rationale for the high priesthood of Christ in the
heavenly sanctuary. He had to be a man in order to be
“a merciful and faithful high priest.” He must of
necessity pass through our experiences in order to
represent us properly before the Father. “For we have
not an high priest which cannot be touched with the
feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.
There are some who deny that the holy nature of Jesus
could ever be tempted by any of the allurements or
provocations of this world. Let such be reminded that
Jesus emptied Himself of His divine form when He came
among men. There is no question about His perfect
sinlessness, but He took upon Himself not “the nature
of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.”
Hebrews 2:16.
Could that nature be tempted? Of course it could. We
know it because we have that nature also. We cannot
and dare not probe into mysteries that are not revealed,
but we can be certain of those things that are revealed.
He was tempted in the same points in which we
struggle against the evil one.
As a partaker of our flesh and blood, He was no
stranger to the sorrows, trials, and disappointments that
commonly afflict our lives. In no way did He use His
divine power to evade the infirmities of human nature.
Yet, He did not sin by even a thought.
Did His sinless experience separate Him so far from us
that we can never hope to gain the same victory over
sin? No. There are scores of assurances in the Bible
that we may overcome as He overcame. We may have
the “mind of Christ” (Philippians 2:5), be filled with “all
the fullness's of God” (Ephesians 3:19), and partake of
the divine nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:4).
The pure and holy aversion to sin that resided in our
blessed Lord from the moment of His birth may be
experienced by every converted, Spirit-filled Christian
through faith in God. Jesus repeatedly acknowledged
His total dependence on the Father for everything He
said and everything He did. He deliberately limited
Himself to the works that were made possible by
prayer, faith, and surrender—avenues that are also
open to every one of us. ________
The House of Bethany.
