Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. Hebrews 5:1-3
The position of high priest in the Levitical system was by appointment only - you could not appoint yourself. When the priests offered sacrifices for his own sins, it reminds him of his own sinful humanity and keeps him humble, in order to deal compassionately towards others, especially those who were spiritually weak, ignorant or wayward.
The more we recognize God's holiness, the more we will recognize our own sinfulness and unworthiness. As we study and grow in our faith, we will likely sin less - however, our sin will distress us more because we recognize how much God detests sin of any kind.
2 comments:
I used to think I was pretty good, didn't have too many downfalls or vices and therefore was quick to judge someone else I thought was "worse" than I, but having come to realize just how sinful and unworthy I am, I am first thankful for God's grace and mercy and secondly less likely to judge another harshly, since I am in fact no better than they.
Me too, Miriam, me too. A growing awareness of God's absolute holiness has likely been the most important thing I've been learning the past couple of years.
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