V. 17.— Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. Having taken hold of the seed of Abraham, it behoved Him to be in all things made like unto his brethren, in order that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest. Brethren are of the same family, their hearts are fashioned alike, Psalms 33:15; and in order to Christ being a merciful and faithful high priest, He must in all things be made like unto His brethren, and thus it was with our Lord Jesus Christ. He not only, as the Apostle had already stated, took part with them in flesh and blood, Hebrews 2:14, but was touched with a feeling of our infirmities, and was in all things tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Chap. 4:15. The prince of this world came to Him in all his malignity and in all his power. He attempted to prevail over Him through hunger, to which He was subject in common with His brethren; he held out to Him the prospect of admiration; he proposed to Him the sovereignty of the world, but by the Word of God’ s lips He kept Himself from the paths of the destroyer. Psalms 17:4. He not only baffled the adversary, but, in doing so, He taught His people how they might successfully resist the devil by opposing truth to falsehood. But he was also to make reconciliation for the sins of the people,— that is, to expiate the sins of the people; and this could only be done by the sacrifice of Himself. The sin-offering under the law must be perfect to be accepted. Now, Jesus was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; he was a lamb without spot or blemish, under the law, which was the figure of good things to come— without shedding of blood there was no remission. Now, Christ reconciled His Church unto God by His own blood. The word " reconcile,” in Scripture, means “to make atonement.” Leviticus 6:30; Leviticus 16:20; Leviticus 8:15. 2 Chronicles 29:24. Ezekiel 45:15. Daniel 9:24. Romans 5:10. 2 Corinthians 5:19. Now, Christ, by the sacrifice of Himself, made reconciliation, or atonement, for the sins of His people; they are all covered by His blood, and, when sought for, shall not be found.