Day 662: The only priest we need - Hebrews 5 vs 1 - 10

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2-3 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.  Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 

4 And no one takes this honour for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.  5-6 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

7-10 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And  being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:1-10 English Standard Version

One of the big things that would’ve concerned many Jews who became Christians was if they were expelled from taking part in the ceremonies that took place in the temple. Imagine what it would be like if the High Priest wanted nothing to do with you. Why was the High Priest's role so important? (vs 1)

He was the link between people who knew they were guilty of sin, and a God who is Holy and who expects perfect obedience. Ever since the times of Moses the Israelites had offered their sacrifices through the High Priest. In fact, the High Priest himself even had to offer sacrifices for his own sins. But, says the writer, that's what made the High Priest so approachable. He understood their weakness when it came to letting God down through sin. (vs 2-3)

In the previous chapter he reminded these Jewish converts that Christians “have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God.” And he added that Jesus wasn't someone “who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but someone who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” So just as Jesus Christ is greater than all the angels and greater than Moses, He is also greater than all the High Priests since that days of Aaron, the man who was Israel's first High Priest. Which leads to an important point. What was so special about being a High Priest? (vs 4)

Being the High Priest was not something anyone chose for themselves. It was an appointment made by God. So how could Jesus be a High Priest then? That's the question some of them would've asked. And in reply the writer quotes words from Psalm 2:7 and 110:4. Both were written by King David about the Messiah who God would one day send into the world. And David said that the Messiah would be an eternal Priest in the line of a priest named Melchizedek who had lived long before Aaron. He is going to tell us more about this man called Melchizedek, and why Christ was a High Priest like him, but he first explains why Jesus is such a perfect and adequate High Priest. Why is that? (vs 7-10)

Jesus came into the world and experienced the temptations and testing trials that we as human beings go through. But He never gave in to sin. He never lost faith in the Father's ability to bring Him through such trials. And so He even conquered death itself! This life of obedience perfected Him for the role of being a High Priest. He is able not only to forgive our sins, but able to help us in our darkest times of need. Jesus Christ is the only Priest that we ever need. He has been appointed by God to be the source of eternal salvation for all who come to Him.