Jesus’ Training for the High Priesthood

“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also beset by weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.’” Heb. 5:1-5.

We just read that every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men. This was also the case with Jesus, verse 5. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4:15.

You may ask: “Can it really be true that Jesus was actually tempted in all points as we are? We are in so many situations which He did not encounter, and times were different in those days!” To this question we have to pose a counter-question: “What does it mean to be tempted?” To be tempted is the same as being tested.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2-3. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Vs. 12.

These verses make it clear that to be tempted is not the same as committing sin. On the contrary, what is great is to be tempted and yet be without sin. Jesus wrought this masterful work, therefore He is truly our Master. However, we are His disciples, and so we learn how to be without sin in temptation. This is how we gain the crown of life.

He was tested just as we are. We are being tested because we have a flesh in which dwells nothing good. Rom. 7:18. We are tempted by being drawn away and enticed by our own desires. James 1:14. This is where my faith is being tested: whether I will remain firmly anchored in God’s Word and heed the voice of the Spirit, or whether I prefer to believe in my own desires. You say that you believe in God’s Word, but the desires in your flesh are testing you whether it is really true. Paul says, “. . . the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God . . .” (Gal. 2:20) and not in the desires. He had crucified them. Gal. 5:24.

Jesus was tested just as we are and not in some other way. He had to be taken from among men in order to be appointed for men so He could sympathize with them and come to their aid. If He had been like God He could not have been tempted by evil. James 1:13. He renounced being like God and came in the likeness of men; He was found in appearance as a man. Phil. 2:6-8. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same.” Heb. 2:14-18. Now He had received a flesh like we have; therefore He could also be tested in all things just like we are. “For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” Vs. 18.

Our trial is not that our spouse is a troll, or that we are either poor or rich, or that the times are so bad; our trial is that we have a flesh that cannot be obedient to God’s law. “The carnal mind is enmity against God.” Rom. 8:7. It is not neutral; it entices us and draws us away from the leading of God. If we yield, desire is conceived in our mind, and sin is born. If this sin is not acknowledged it will mature and bring forth death (James 1:14-15), and I’ll lose my connection with God.

Can a person who has experienced the baptism of the Spirit also be tempted by the desires in his flesh? Yes. According to James everybody is tempted in the same way; and we have seen it, and experienced it. But you may claim that it was either this or that which tempted you—you were tempted from without. Not at all! You would have never been tempted by these things if you didn’t have passions and desires. You have sin in the flesh, and if you do not want to acknowledge that fact you have deceived yourself and the truth is not in you. 1 John 1:8. Nevertheless, just because you have sin does not mean that you have to commit sin—that is, follow your passions and desires; because everyone who commits sin is of the devil. 1 John 3:8.

Since Jesus partook of flesh and blood like we, His trials were exactly like ours in every way. He had to undergo this schooling in order to know how weak we are, and how easily we are tempted in order to become our merciful High Priest. This gives us boldness to draw near to the throne of grace, because we know that He can give us grace to help in time of need. In time of need—so that we do not sin! He did not come to give aid to angels, but to the seed of Abraham. “Therefore in all things He had to be made like His brethren.” Heb. 2:16-17.

“Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear.” Heb. 5:7.

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die.” Rom. 8:13. This was the death which Jesus was in danger of dying now that He had come in the flesh. All of mankind was in bondage to the flesh, and thus subject to death; it was under a curse. Salvation depended entirely on Jesus’ work. If He overcame, death would be conquered; but if He gave in to the flesh in temptation all hope would be lost. We realize that this was not a “mock battle.” He was not play-acting.

However, He was victorious! He offered Himself through the power of the eternal Spirit without spot to God. Heb. 9:14. Sin was condemned in the flesh. Rom. 8:3. He remained without sin in the hour of trial.

The priests in the old covenant were slaughterers. A priest in the new covenant is also a slaughterer. The priests in the old covenant slaughtered bulls and calves; but in the new covenant they are to slaughter sin in the flesh. Read the prophecy in Isaiah 63:1-8 regarding Jesus.

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek.’” Heb. 5:8-10.

What a thorough schooling Jesus underwent! When He was perfected there was no more sin in the flesh to be condemned. He had fulfilled all God’s will on earth in the days of His flesh, in a body like yours and mine; and instead of sin in the flesh influencing Him, He put it to death. This is what is called “the death of Jesus” because it first took place in Him.

What a mighty work—a work done in the power of an eternal Spirit! Now the Spirit had finished His work in Jesus, and when Jesus received the Spirit from the Father He sent Him into the world on the day of Pentecost. Acts 2:33. Now the Spirit was to continue the same work in all those who entered the covenant. Those who submitted to the righteousness of Christ received the Spirit. Paul wrote: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16. What a hope this is for those who are upright, and a joy for those who are sanctified by the new covenant in Jesus’ blood.

“We judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” 2 Cor. 5:14. It was the same flesh. Jesus’ death put an end to all that was human, so that that which is divine could be made manifest. When I enter the new covenant and forsake everything, presenting myself unto obedience to the will of God, I am sprinkled with the blood of Jesus Christ. The work of Christ is imputed to me, I am included in that one sacrifice of the body of Jesus, and I receive the Spirit. I have become a member of the body of Christ, and the Spirit continues the same work in me in the days of my flesh. Because the body of Christ is to be built up! By the Spirit we can reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. “Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.” 2 Cor. 4:10. “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13.

Jesus is the High Priest. He has completed this sacrifice and has become our Advocate. However, we too become priests as this death of Christ (this sacrificing) takes place in our life. We are built up into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet. 2:5. Paul was a sacrificial priest of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering as a steward the gospel of God for them. Rom. 15:16.