In Hebrews 5:1 we read that the High Priest had the responsibility to “offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins”. One of his qualifications isn’t so much a qualification as it is a responsibility. Furthermore, it isn’t centered around what he does so much as WHY he must do what he does.
The Hebrew priests chief concern is dealing with “sins”! The priest offered sacrifices to deal with the single most important problem facing humanity: That which separates man from God. He must deal with universal problem of continual personal failure, SIN and the enviable consequences of that failure of sin, GUILT! This is the experience of every single person in humanity and no person has been able to escape its grip over our lives. There is not a person save Jesus who has ever known what it is to not suffer from SIN and a sense of GUILT. The problem isn’t just sin and rebellion, no the problem is what do we do once we have had our “fun of sin and rebellion” and all we have left is guilt and shame? The antidote to sin and the consequences of sin, GUILT required a life that must be sacrificed and a priest must therefore offer that sacrifice. Jesus completely fulfilled this at the cross when as both the sacrifice (the Lamb of God) and the High Priest He became both the priest and the Victim. And as we noted in Hebrews 4:14 “passed through the heavens” presenting His own blood to the Father at the mercy seat. Saints, Jesus has dealt with our sin and guilt once for all as both our Sacrifice and Great High Priest!