For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26).

In order for sinners to come unto God, they need to have a High Priest to encourage and enable them to do so. Not only is a High Priest necessary, but he must be one also that meets the demands of a Holy God. The only High Priest fitted and able to minister before God on the behalf of desperately wicked and guilty sinners is the Lord Jesus Christ. None other could put away sin (Heb. 9:26), purchase eternal redemption (Heb. 9:12), produce perfect righteousness for us (Heb. 13:21), and intercede eternally for us (Heb. 7:25). This verse describes the believers glorious Great High Priest.

1). He is HOLY! In His divine nature, for He is God, but also in humanity. He was holy before God and perfectly obeyed His Holy Law (Isa. 42:21). Had his nature and character been unholy, He could not have been our High Priest. For unholy sinners, stand in need of a Holy Priest, with a holy sacrifice to stand before a Holy God (Heb. 9:24), to make a holy atonement for sin (Heb. 2:17)!

2). He is HARMLESS! Without guile in His mouth or malice in His heart. He is holy in His nature and harmless in His life. He went about doing good (Matt. 9:35). He was the Lamb in the midst of wolves. Although He was tempted in all points, yet He was without sin (Heb. 4:15). He had no sin! He did no sin! He knew no sin (1John 3:5; 2Cor. 5:21)!

3). He is UNDEFILED! He was in this evil world, yet not defiled with its guilt nor tainted with its sin. He was unsoiled and uncontaminated from the curse of the fall and the guilt of Adam’s transgression (Rom. 5:12-19). The only way He is guilty of sin is by imputation (Isaiah 53:4-6; I Peter 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21).

4). He is SEPARATE FROM SINNERS! He took on Him the likeness of a sinful nature (Rom. 8:3), but not a sinful nature. He was often found in the company of sinners, but no sin found company in Him. He had communion with sinners, but no communion with sin (Matt.9:10-12).

5). He is MADE HIGHER THAN THE HEAVENS! He was for a season made lower than the angels (Heb. 2:7), but now, crowned with all glory and honor, seated at the right hand of God (Heb. 1:3). Our Lord has been exalted as our GREAT HIGH PRIEST (Heb. 8:1). Therefore, He is able to save them (His Elect) to the uttermost, or for evermore (Heb. 7:25)!

His ability to save does not depend upon our coming to Him, our coming to Him depends upon His ability to justify the ungodly (John 6:44-45).