Jesus, my Perfect High Priest
Jesus was perfect, yet still came to be
A perfect High Priest sympathetic to me.
Great mystery that He was perfected still
By taking His cross and denying His will.
It's God Who conceived of this work to be done
By giving me life in deliv'ring His Son.
He endured forsaking, that eternal pause,
Forever He now justly pleadeth my cause.
Much more than that, He has given me hope
That grace I'll be given when for Him I grope
For in Him are hidden all treasures I need
In moments of trial, He has promised to lead
And so when I think that I should not draw near
Rememb'ring His calling, I'll cast down my fear.
And boldly I'll run to His eternal throne
For I need not fight my life's battles alone.
So humble is Jesus, He bore all my care
And with Him abiding I will not despair.
So often marvel, His gladness to be, and
Become a High Priest sympathetic to me
Background
This poem was written as a reflection on the mystery of Jesus Christ being a sympathetic High Priest for all who surrender their lives to Him.
There are several scriptures which allude to the great mystery of Jesus becoming our Great High Priest. I have been meditating on these scriptures and, although I can’t say I have much more insight into the mystery, I honestly don’t mind; this meditation has given me much more appreciation for what Jesus’s coming to earth accomplished for us, and how rich our inheritance is as children of God. I’m thankful for a God Who, even though He allows some aspects of our faith to remain clouded in mystery, still shows us enough to marvel in wonder.
Here are a few of the verses which stirred my heart in this regard:
“For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things,
in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.”
Hebrews 2:10 NASB
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:16 NASB
“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,”
Hebrews 5:8-9 NASB
“Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”
Hebrews 7:25 NASB
“For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath,
which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”
Hebrews 7:28 NASB