An Old Testament high priest was one who offered animal sacrifices so that the sins of individuals would be forgiven. Jesus is a high priest because He offered Himself as an eternal sacrifice for the sins of all of us. He is merciful because He was willing to become like us and willing to die for us. Here we can see His precious heart for us. He was also faithful to follow through and complete the Father’s plan by dying for us.       Jesus is also merciful and faithful in another way. He can help us when we are tempted to sin. Human priests can offer a sacrifice for our sins but they cannot empower us for victory over our sins. Jesus can!     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. (NASB) Heb. 2:18         Conclusion. Jesus understands our struggle with sin by personal experience. Just before Jesus was betrayed, He went to the garden of Gethsemane. The gospels tell us that while He was there, He struggled with the reality of the suffering He would have to experience. The God-man was going to experience the reality of human suffering. He struggled and so He was tempted to flee death. Yet He never gave in. He never sinned. He suffered temptation in the extreme. But He did not give in to sin. When we are tempted, we often eventually give in to it. But Jesus has promised to help us.     No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (NASB) 1 Corinthians 10:13   He has also promised to help against the tempter - Satan.     But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (NASB) 2 Thess 3:3   But this victory over sin is not something we do on our own. The Holy Spirit is the One who gives the victory as we submit ourselves to His control of us (Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:18). All that we must do is to start by admitting our sins to Him.     If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NASB) 1 John 1:9   Then we should ask the Holy Spirit to take control of our lives. If we are sincere, our merciful and faithful high priest will bring victory.       Jesus is God. He is man. He became a man in order to become our merciful and faithful high priest - to forgive our sins and help us in our struggle against sin. This is the precious heart of a loving God!             < Back
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