Christ Took Flesh to Be Our Sympathetic High Priest (Chapter 8, Paragraph 9)

“This office the Lord Jesus did most willingly undertake…”

Christ’s incarnation was no reluctant obligation—it was the outworking of divine love. He laid aside His glory, not His deity, and took on the form of a servant (Phil. 2:5–7). He willingly became like us to save us.

“…which that He might discharge, He was made under the law…”

Christ was born “under the law” (Gal. 4:4), meaning He was obligated to obey it fully. He fulfilled all righteousness (Matt. 3:15), not for Himself, but for His people, providing the merit we lacked.

“…and did perfectly fulfil it…”

This refers to Christ’s active obedience—His lifelong, sinless conformity to God’s commands. Where Adam failed and where we daily fall short, Christ stood firm. His righteousness is credited to all who believe (Rom. 5:19).

“…and suffered most grievous torments immediately in His soul…”

The agony of Christ was not limited to the body. In Gethsemane and on the cross, He bore the full weight of divine wrath in His soul (Isa. 53:10). His spiritual suffering exceeded the physical torment.

“…and most painful sufferings in His body…”

His body was broken, scourged, and crucified. Yet even this was necessary for our peace. “By His wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). The eternal Son bore temporal agony that we might escape eternal judgment.

“…was crucified, and died, and remained in the state of the dead, yet saw no corruption.”

Christ truly died—but unlike all others, His body did not decay (Acts 2:27). Death could not claim Him permanently. He had authority to lay down His life and to take it up again (John 10:18).

“On the third day He rose from the dead…”

This resurrection confirms the Father’s acceptance of the Son’s sacrifice and secures our justification (Rom. 4:25). Christ’s risen body is the firstfruits of our own (1 Cor. 15:20–23).

“…with the same body in which He suffered…”

His resurrection was bodily and physical, not symbolic or spiritual. Thomas touched His wounds (John 20:27). Jesus remains fully human—now glorified—and this affirms the enduring value of His incarnation.

“…with which He also ascended into heaven…”

Christ did not shed His humanity when He returned to glory. The God-Man is seated at the Father’s right hand—fully divine, fully human—representing His people and reigning over His kingdom.

“…and there sitteth at the right hand of His Father…”

This speaks to Christ’s exaltation and session. He has finished the work of atonement and now intercedes and reigns. His position guarantees access for His people and judgment for His enemies.

“…making intercession…”

He is our High Priest, ever pleading His merits on our behalf (Heb. 7:25). His intercession is not a repetition of the cross, but its ongoing application.

“…and shall return to judge men and angels at the end of the world.”

The One who came in weakness will return in glory (Matt. 25:31–32). He will judge with perfect righteousness—all humanity and even fallen angels (Jude 6; 2 Cor. 5:10). His mediatorship will culminate in final victory.

Application for the Believer:

Take heart—your Savior is not distant. He is both God and man, and He knows your weakness. He obeyed in your place, suffered for your sin, and now intercedes for your soul. You have a sympathetic High Priest who understands your struggles and grants grace in your time of need (Heb. 4:14–16). His humanity assures you that He gets it; His divinity assures you that He can help. So come boldly to Him—whether in temptation, sorrow, or joy. He sits at the Father’s right hand for you and will one day return for you. Rest in your perfect Mediator.