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Jim Collins, author of the classic business book Good to Great, says an effective leader is modest, conscientious, and capable. It is instructive to know that God, in appointing Jesus to be High Priest and Ruler over heaven and earth, had two critical qualifications. The writer of Hebrews describes them in chapters 4 and 5: He said Jesus was qualified because He identified with us as humans. Speaking of Him, the writer said: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.” Because Jesus is fully human, He can identify with our human weaknesses. He faced the same temptations we face. But the huge difference is that Jesus did not yield to the temptations. By being totally obedient to His Father, Jesus was qualified to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. The other criteria He met was that He did not appoint himself to be High Priest. God appointed Him. The writer says, “No one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God.” Since every human apart from Jesus falls short of God’s perfect righteousness, nobody else is qualified to serve as our high priest. Only a sinless person can atone for sin. The only person who qualifies is Jesus Christ. That’s why the author of Hebrews urges us to come boldly to the throne of our gracious God on the merits of Jesus Christ. By coming this way, we receive mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most.
