He’s Our Representative

Hebrews 5:1-10

The Prince and The Pauper is a story about a prince who becomes separated from his entourage and forced to live as a street urchin in England. One of the street kids is mistaken for the prince and forced to take his place. The story centers around the two boys’ adventures in their respective situations. The street boy is forced to make decisions regarding the country, and to counter political intrigue, while the prince experiences the day to day struggles of ordinary people, against unjust policies, criminal elements and poverty. Ultimately the situation is corrected, and both are restored to their rightful place. The experience results in them becoming friends, and the prince effects many changes in the laws, recalling his experiences.

The separation of those in authority from the common people, resulting in the disenfranchisement of a major portion of the populace has been a source of conflict throughout history. It was at the root of the American Revolution, The signing of the Magna Carta in 1215 A.D. and in the splitting of the nation of Israel under Rehoboam in I Samuel 12. Leaders become so caught up in their desires and goals they lose contact with their base. When Catherine the Great of Russia went to see what the state of her people was, local leaders hired actors and stand-ins to line the streets and pretend to be local residents of cities along the way to prevent her learning how the people were suffering. She never caught on and continued her policies, unaware of the suffering of the common people. Those who abused them were able to continue their abuse as a result.

God has hated this separation, as we see in Revelation 2:6 and 2:15, when he says he hates the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes. His plan for Israel was for them to be individually responsible to God, This is what Judges 17:6 and 21:25 is describing when they say “There was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Some obeyed God and some did not. Having a King did not change that.

Because he understood man’s propensity to sin, God made provision for an intercessor to represent man when he had sinned. Being tempted with sin himself, he could represent sinners. Before he could deal with other’s sins, he first had to get his own straightened out. It was not an office that could be undertaken by just anyone.

“For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:1-6)

The High priest was a representative of the people. He was not their boss, although he carried God’s message back to them. He was chosen by God to fulfill that office. Jesus Christ was chose by God to be the final high priest. There would never be a need for another priest after the order of Melchisedec. One of the temptations Christ faced was fear of the death which he was to suffer. It was a very real fear. Humanly, it would have been far easier to refuse to go through with the plan. He chose to obey, instead.

“Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; Heb And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:7-10)

By choosing to obey and face his fear, Jesus made the sacrifice for our sins, and made our salvation possible. Failure to do obey would have been sin, and would have stopped God’s plan. Obeying made qualified to serve as both Priest, and sacrifice. He could receive the Melchisedec Priesthood.