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A Closer Walk

In coming to earth in the form of a man, Jesus had jobs to do and things to accomplish. "Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted," Hebrews 2:17-18 NASB.

The Lord Jesus had to be made like His brethren in all things. Although He never ceased being God, during His time on earth He lived a daily human existence. He ate, drank, slept, worked, traveled, ministered, and preached. His Incarnation (earthly existence) began first as a baby, then a boy, then a man. This was so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest, in those things that pertain to God.
As the merciful and faithful high priest, he made propitiation for the sins of all people, each and every one of us. John the Baptist proclaimed it; "...Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," John 1:29 NASB. Propitiation comes from the root propitiate which is defined as, "to win or regain the good will of; appease." To regain Almighty God's good will toward the people of His creation our Christ paid the price that we owed and couldn't pay. He substituted Himself as the perfect sacrificial payment for our sins (both yours and mine). "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him," 2 Corinthians 5:21 NASB. After He paid this debt that we owed, Christ's own righteousness was imputed to us. This is the single greatest deal in the entire course of human history. He took our sins upon Himself, and paid the penalty. Then He filled us with His own righteousness. Our sin for His righteousness. See, greatest deal ever!
Further, our Savior was tempted during His earthly human existence, by the things which He suffered. So He is able to come to our aid during our own suffering or temptation. These seasons may cause us to think of turning away from our faith. Of turning away from our God. Or cause us to be angry with God. But our Righteous Savior "...is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them," Hebrews 7:25 NASB.
He always lives to make intercession for us. That is comforting. The Lord Jesus Christ not only paid the debt we couldn't pay, then filled us with His own righteousness, but He also is our intercessor. In 1 John He is also described as our Advocate. “My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous,” 1 John 2:1 NASB. Advocate is defined as one who pleads the case of another. Jesus intercedes for us before the Throne of Grace and pleads our case, (yours and mine).
So our Lord and Savior is our Intercessor, our Advocate, our merciful and faithful high priest, and the propitiation (payment) for our sins. John the Baptist was right. Our Christ truly is “...the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world”.

 

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