5.2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness.
Carrying on from verse 1, this verse continues the qualifications of an earthly high priest. As a human man, the priest was himself a sinner, subject to all the same weaknesses and temptations as those to whom he ministered, as well as the frailties and restrictions of a human body. Therefore the priest should be understanding of those under his care. He should be able to fully empathize with their situations, to put himself in their shoes, and to act with gentleness and compassion toward them. As one who shared the same fallen humanity as them, the priest had no reason to exalt himself above his flock, or to lord it over them.
What a stark contrast this ideal was to the reality of the priests and leaders of Jesus’ day! For the most part these men were puffed up with pride in their position, looking down their noses at the unlearned masses whom they collectively dubbed as “sinners” (implying that they, the religious leaders, were not.) Most of these men had so far removed themselves from the ordinary people, and so totally blinded themselves to their own weaknesses, that any thought of them treating the people with empathy and compassion would have been almost laughable.
Jesus, on the other hand, fully personified the role of the compassionate priest, treating everyone with understanding and gentleness, whilst never making light of the seriousness of sin. Yet He did not share the sinful frailties of those with whom He dealt. We are reminded of the story of the woman taken in adultery. “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone,” Jesus had said, knowing full well that, as the only sinless One present, He alone had the right to cast that stone. And when all the others had left in their guilt, He threw neither stones nor condemnation at her, but simply told her to go and leave her sinful life.
5.3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
The whole of the Old Covenant sacrificial system affirmed to the priest that he was also a sinner, guilty before a holy God. He did not come just to offer sacrifices for the sin of the people. First, he must receive a covering for his own sins.
Somehow the priests of the day had managed to forget that minor detail. Perhaps they saw the sacrifice for their own sins as simply a ritual, not really related to their personal lives. Their attitude was certainly not that of sinners dependent upon God’s grace.
Again we see the contrast with Jesus. Whilst the priests, who were themselves sinners, distanced themselves from the sin of the people, Jesus, the sinless One, allowed the sin and guilt of mankind to be placed upon Him. He did not need to bring offerings for His own sin, but He became the perfect offering for ours.