QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE PRIESTHOOD.
By C. H. Keslake
When we study the qualifications of Christ for the priesthood, we approach a subject that contains the very sweetness of the gospel truth. Many persons are content with a knowledge of the fact that Christ is high priest, but never stop to consider the ground of his being such. Or if they vouchsafe any reason at all, they say it is because he is the Son of God. Of course this is true, but that of itself is not the reason. I would not for an instant detract one iota from Christ’s glory as the Son of God, but the Scriptures make very prominent the fact that he is high priest by virtue of his being the Son of man. “There is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 2: 5. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.” Heb. 7: 24. Jesus, as high priest, must be a man — a man among men, born with the infirmities and weaknesses to which man is heir, and yet be without sin. And so we read, “Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.” Heb. 2: 17. In order for Christ to become all this, it was necessary that he should be “made of a woman, made under the law.” Gal. 4: 4. And so we read, “Forasmuch then as the children are made partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same [flesh and blood]; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.” Heb. 2: 14. Nothing short of taking our flesh and blood would suffice. For him to take the nature of angels would not have sufficed. There is a vast difference between men and angels, and Christ did not come to save angels, else he would have taken their nature. “But he took on him the seed of Abraham.” Heb. 2: 16. It was because Christ did this, and took upon him the infirmities of man, with all man’s liabilities, that he could become our high priest. “Compassed with infirmities,” refraining from using his divine power, and emptying himself, so that of himself he was as weak as the weakest of mankind, so weak that he confessed that “I can of mine own self do nothing” (John 5: 30), he must be tempted in all points “like as we are,” and yet be without sin. In human flesh — sinful flesh — as a man, Christ must live a perfect life of self-surrender to God, so that God could work in him both to do and to will of his good pleasure. Thus it is written: “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.” Heb. 5: 8, 9. And again, “For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” For years it was a source of perplexity to the writer to know how or in what way Christ, who never committed a single sin, could be made perfect. But when the solution came, the truth shone into his soul as a glorious stream of light from the very throne of God. There is at least one thing concerning which all mankind are born into the world on terms of perfect equality; and that one point is character. Whatsoever else some may have at birth, all start out in life characterless, and then through all and in all the deeds of life are forming character. But alas! the characters formed by all men are, in the sight of Heaven, bad. And yet not all. There is One, starting at the same point at which all others start, a man among men, who, perfect at each step, finally perfected a righteous character by being absolutely and perfectly obedient to all of God’s requirements — no more, no less, than that which is required of all men. And that Man was Christ Jesus. Victorious where we have failed; loyal where we have been rebellious; obedient where we have been disobedient, in his perfect life Christ has woven a garment of righteousness, a heavenly robe, in which there can not be found one thread of earthliness. In this, and in this alone, was Christ made perfect through suffering; and it is because of this that God could intrust to him the responsible office of high priest. In his experience Christ has realized to the fullest extent the strength of each temptation; for he has met them all: and so it is written: “We have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Heb. 4: 15. As no one else, Christ can have “compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.” Heb. 5: 2. And now, having wrought out in human flesh a perfect character, a righteous character, he stands in the presence of God offering that perfect life in behalf of those whose own garments are as filthy rags, which can not protect them from the burning glory of God’s presence, but of which being divested through faith in Christ, they are assured that they are “complete in him.” Blessed be God. “Complete in him”! Oh, praise the Lord!
In him complete, it is his word.
His life for me doth now atone:
In Christ, my God and I are one.
Obedient to the Father’s will,
The law’s demands he did fulfill.
“Before the throne my Surety stands,
My name engraved upon his hands.”
“Complete in him”! What joy so sweet?
What need I more? “In him complete”!
His life for mine — it stands the test;
In him I am forever blest.