Quarantine Quick Read: Christ our Brother - Sympathetic, Sinless and Supreme

Jesus is a spiritual big brother for every Christian. Having suffered in every way like us He is able to sympathetically come alongside us with grace to help (Hebrews 2:17, 4:15-16).

This photograph appeared on the 5th April Telegraph article reporting that “Covid-19 has killed more than 90 priests as well as dozens of missionaries, monks and nuns” in Italy. In contrast to the regular stories of power abuses by members of the Catholic clergy, this conjures up a much more positive image of the priesthood - identifying with the sick and vulnerable in order to pray with them even at great risk to their own lives. It also reminds me of some verses in the book of Hebrews:

“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed 

to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and

sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and

wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.” (Heb. 5:1-2).

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However, the tragic reality of death reminds us that the best of religious figures have their own sins to  confess.

“Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his

own sins just as he does for those of the people.” (Heb. 5:3).

This is the weakness in all human systems of priesthood:

“The former priests were many in number, because they

were prevented by death from continuing in office” (Heb. 7:22).

In contrast, Jesus identified fully with sinners even to the point of dying for them, but could not be held by death because He was, himself, perfectly sinless. Hence

“...he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues

forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those

who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to

make intercession for them.” (Heb.‬ ‭7:23-25‬ ‭‬).

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It is in this constant, unbreakable intercession that Christians find their real hope. Jesus’ Preeminent Priesthood and Superior Sacrifice are more than adequate to secure forgiveness for the worst of sins and grace for the worst of trials. This is ‘salvation to the uttermost’.