Hebrews 5:1

Hebrews 5:1 says, For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:  The high priest did not just claim this position but was appointed by God.  Christ, as our high Priest, did not just assume this position, but was appointed by the heavenly Father. The high priest was the one who went into the Holy of Holys to offer sacrifices for the people of God.  He was the only one who could do this.  When Christ became our high Priest, He eliminated this need, because He became the eternal high Priest.  Verse two adds, Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.  The high priest was to be able to have compassion on the ignorant and those who are out of the way.  The ignorant are those who have not come to a knowledge of God.  If we are truly followers of Christ, we must have compassion on the lost today.  We are called on to reach them with the message of salvation.  We cannot look down on any person or group of people as being unworthy of salvation.  Christ died for the worst sinner in the world, not for some select few who are somehow morally superior to others.  Since we are all sinners saved by grace, we need the compassion of Christ in order to be saved, and we can never feel superior to any other sinner saved by grace.  I believe that we can also take this a step farther and say that we should never feel superior to any sinner.  Christ died for all, and even if we are saved by His grace, we are still but a sinner.  We might want to put degrees on sin, but any sin, great or small, brings the same result, and that is separation from God.  We cannot feel superior because we consider our sins as less than someone else's.  Verse three continues, And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins.  The earthly high priest had to offer a sacrifice, not only for the sins of those he represented, but for himself as well.  The heavenly high Priest, Jesus Christ, instead offered Himself as a sacrifice without sin for all people.  Jesus was the only One Who could accomplish this, and He is the only One we can turn to for forgiveness of our sins.  I will state once more that we do not have to go through anyone else, living or dead, to speak to God.  We have a personal relationship through Christ and are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  Verse four states, And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.  Even earthly high priests were called by God.  Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, was called by His heavenly Father to be our eternal Priest.  When we do something for God today, it should be by His calling and for His honor.  Verse five adds, So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.  This is what was just discussed above.  Jesus, the Son, was doing the will of God, the Father.