What a High Priest Is Called to Do

Before explaining Christ’s priesthood, Hebrews sketches the human high priest’s role. He is taken from among people to represent them before God and to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Because he shares human weakness, he can deal gently with the ignorant and straying, yet that same weakness means he must offer for his own sins as well as the people’s. Most importantly, the priestly honor is not self-appointed; one must be called by God, as Aaron was. These features establish both points of continuity and points of contrast when Hebrews turns back to Jesus.