Hebrews 7:20 - Homiletics

Separated from sinners.

This verse exhibits in a strong clear light the moral purity of our High Priest, and its becomingness in relation to the necessities of his people.

I. THE HOLINESS OF CHRIST . He was born without; entail of birth-sin. His boyhood and youth were stainless. His manhood was one of sinless perfection. His friends regarded him as faultless. His enemies testified to his purity (Pilate, Judas, the devils whom he east out). Jesus himself claimed to be holy ( John 8:46 ; John 14:30 ); and he never confessed sin, or begged forgiveness. The voice of his Father from heaven attested him, once and again, to be the Holy One of God. ( Matthew 3:17 ; Matthew 17:5 ). Notice:

1. The elements of his holiness. Three adjectives are used, referring to three different departments of moral character.

2. The singularity of his holiness. "Separated from sinners." This phrase sustains a relation of contrast to the three adjectives. It indicates the unique character and the matchless harmony of the Savior's moral life. It expresses his solitariness in his holiness. If the human race be divided into two classes—the sinners and the holy—all the rest of mankind must take rank as sinners, while Jesus stands by himself as the one human being who was holy.

3. The reward of his holiness. "Made higher than the heavens." His supreme exaltation has set him more visibly apart from other men than before. It was conferred upon him as the reward of his pure, unworldly, self-sacrificing life. His mediatorial throne has been erected in the new heavens of the new covenant, and these are higher than any heavens formerly known to mankind.

II. THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST 'S HOLINESS IN RELATION TO OUR SALVATION . "Such a High Priest became us." In Hebrews 2:10 we read of what in this connection "became" God; here, of what "became" man. The purity of the Redeemer was admirably adapted to the necessities of our condition.

1. That he might be a true manifestation of God. A priest is a mediator or middle-man between God and men; and it is indispensable that he should be in perfect sympathy with the purity of the Eternal. Holiness is the crown and flower of the Divine perfections; and it was needful that our priest should reflect that holiness in his own character.

2. That his sacrifice might be an adequate atonement for sin. He must be on the very best of terms with the God whom we have offended. His expiation must be satisfactory to Divine justice. It is impossible that Jesus could have atoned for us had he been himself morally infirm, like the Jewish high priest, tie could only purchase our reconciliation by offering himself as a Victim, without spot or blemish, upon the altar.

3. That he might leave us a perfect example. The Christian life consists in the imitation of Christ. Believers follow him in the three great departments of moral excellence in which he was so absolutely pure. We ought to copy him also in his separatedness from the world. Indeed, his people should already be in spirit, through their oneness of character with their risen Lord, "made higher than the heavens?