The Priesthood of Jesus: A Devotional Study Series (Part Two)

/ Michael Battle

Part Two – Jesus, Our Merciful and Faithful High Priest

“Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered: and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him …” — Hebrews 5:8-9

1. Introduction: The Paradox of the Perfect Son

Jesus was already sinless — “a lamb without spot or blemish” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
So why does Hebrews say He was “made perfect by the things He suffered”?
The answer lies not in His role as the sacrifice, but in His role as our High Priest.

2. Perfected for the Priesthood

“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God …

So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest …

‘Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.’ …

Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered: and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation …”

— Hebrews 5:1-9

Jesus’ suffering qualified Him to be the kind of High Priest humanity needed:
one who understands weakness, grief, betrayal, and injustice — yet without sin.

3. The God-Man Forever

The hypostatic union — Jesus is fully God and fully man — is not temporary.
From Bethlehem’s manger onward He remains true God and true man for eternity.

After the resurrection He proved His continued humanity:

“Handle Me and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see I have …
And they gave Him a piece of broiled fish … and He ate before them.“

— Luke 24:39-43

Our High Priest is not a distant spirit but the risen Son who still bears the marks of the cross.

4. A High Priest Who Feels Our Pain

He remembers betrayal’s sting, the mockery, the false accusations, the scourging, the cross — yet His prayer was:

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” — Luke 23:34

Therefore:

“We do not have a high priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are — yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace …” — Hebrews 4:15-16

There is nothing you suffer that lies outside His understanding or His mercy.

5. Suffering as the Crucible of Perfection

Peter reminds us:

“Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps … who, when He was reviled, reviled not again … but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” — 1 Peter 2:21-23

God’s purpose in the cross was not only for atonement; it was also formational —
to perfect Christ as our merciful and faithful High Priest who can minister to us in every trial.

6. Sharing the Fellowship of His Sufferings

Paul longed:

“… that I may know Him and the fellowship of His sufferings …” — Philippians 3:10

We share that fellowship when we accept that Christ’s sufferings were the furnace that shaped Him for us. Therefore we can:

“… run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame …Consider Him … lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.” — Hebrews 12:1-3

7. Grace in Our Weakness

Paul’s own thorn-in-the-flesh experience shows how Christ’s priestly ministry meets us:

“I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart …And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ … For when I am weak, then I am strong.” — 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The same risen High Priest who interceded for Paul now ministers grace in our frailty.

8. The Living Intercessor

“In all things it was necessary for Him to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God … Because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.” — Hebrews 2:17-18

“… He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” — Hebrews 7:25

Christ’s intercession is not merely spoken prayers —
His very presence as the perfected High Priest at the Father’s right hand is our continual assurance.

9. Devotional Reflection

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for entering fully into our humanity, for suffering so that You might become the merciful and faithful High Priest we need. Teach us to come boldly to Your throne of grace, and to follow in Your steps when we ourselves must suffer for righteousness’ sake. Amen.

10. Study-Guide Questions

  1. Read Hebrews 5:1-10.
    • What specific qualifications for a high priest are mentioned?
    • How did Jesus meet those qualifications through suffering?
  2. In what way does the hypostatic union (Jesus fully God and fully man) deepen our confidence in His priestly care?
  3. According to Hebrews 4:15-16, how should we approach the throne of grace in times of weakness or temptation?
  4. Reflect on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
    • How can God’s grace be “sufficient” even when our thorn remains?
  5. What personal comfort do you draw from knowing Christ “ever lives to make intercession” for you?

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