HEBREWS 2:17
“Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brothers so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”
We are living in a day where thousands of families are suffering from estrangement from family members. I truly believe this is a work of Satan. He knows if he can attack and destroy families, especially Christian families, he can destroy the church. Unfortunately, our mental health field has flamed this wildfire into a frenzy. The only hope is repentance and reconciliation through our Lord. No amount of counseling will heal these wounds.
Jesus came for one purpose – to reconcile mankind back to the Father. We see this so clearly in today’s verse. The writer says Jesus became “a merciful and faithful high priest” in order “to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” The verb “make propitiation” only occurs here and in Luke 18:13 where it says, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” This is the passage where the tax collector is beating his chest and praying to the Father. He knew and we know that our only source of forgiveness is from Him and we can do nothing to earn it.
ASK QUESTIONS (Command to Obey, Promise to claim, Sin to avoid, Application to make, Something new about God)
The Promise to claim is apparent. Christ has done this for us. The Greek word is hilaskomai. HELPS Word-studies says this word means “to extend propitiation, showing mercy by satisfying (literally, propitiating) the wrath of God on sin.” We all need mercy in this regard. There is nothing we could have ever done to appease God’s wrath. Only Jesus could do that.
This word appears in the noun form in two places in the New Testament. Both occur in 1 John. The first is 1 John 2:2 which says, “and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Two chapters later, John writes in 1 John 4:10, “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
As followers of Christ, we will never face the wrath of God. But pity the souls who never turn to Jesus in this lifetime. They will feel the full weight of their sins one day. They may think they are skating by right now, but there will be a pay day someday. Aren’t you thankful your debt has been paid? Aren’t you glad Jesus has appeased God’s wrath on your behalf? If so, live like it. Live with a lifestyle of gratitude.
Words can never fully express my gratitude to You for my salvation through Jesus. Help me to live a life of gratitude.
