The space of one chapter in Hebrews covers the direct truth of Christ's exalted position in the Godhead. The point is easily made. But many chapters are dedicated to convincing the readers of the great mystery of Christ's adoption of human nature. In chapter 4 Paul is still emphasizing that Jesus was touched with the feeling of our infirmities in order that we may have confidence in Him as a fitting High Priest.Why so much emphasis and why so much resistance on the part of apostate and Laodicean Christianity? The Book of Revelation will add to the answer in a very direct way.
In chapter 5 of Revelation a great crisis is brought to view.
(Rev 5:1) And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. (Rev 5:2) And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? (Rev 5:3) And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. (Rev 5:4) And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
The redemption of mankind and his vindication in the judgement is here symbolized in the 7 seals along with the judgment of Satan's kingdom. The law of God holds a case against man. The penalty of death must be paid by the offender and a vindication must be made in order for the kingdom of humanity to reign once more.
Man is the offender. How can he pay the penalty of death and yet also vindicate himself? It seems impossible. For a time no man is found worthy to open the seals and to let the redemption proceed. John weeps for he foresees the extinction of His race and the loss of God's bride, the church.
Let it be made clear here that no other being can substitute for the offender. Man must pay the debt and man, if he must somehow continue, must redeem the disgraceful failure. This is a specification of the law of God. A man must pay. A kinsman alone can redeem, else all is lost for mankind. This is part of the sacred law and is intricately bound to its ability to keep the kingdom of God safe from the infiltration of evil. It must be a son of fallen Adam that takes the challenge for Adam had no son's before the fall. It must be a seed of the fallen Eve that bruises the serpents head in order to the accusation of Satan regarding man and the just and holy law to be answered. John then sees the Hope...Behold the Lamb of God!
Then in the midst of this great tension One is found. People do not pay enough attention to scripture. This One must be of the same flesh as all other men unless the law of God is to be set aside and Satan win the argument. Thus we see that Christ, in order to be a sufficient High priest must become one of the fallen sons, must pay the penalty and must, as a man, redeem the failure if the race is to be vindicated. No other man could do it. All had failed. Even though there were humans in heaven...none were found worthy of this great a challenge. But Christ was the unity of divinity with humanity and with God all things are possible for fallen man. Christ gave back to the race what Adam had lost, a heart of righteousness and a connection with divine aid. All this is bound up with the the truth that Christ took "the offending nature of man upon His own sinless nature". This is the wonderful condescension of God to man.
Rom_5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom_5:15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
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