The high priesthood of Jesus Christ is a prominent, recurring theme in
Hebrews. To fulfill that role, he who is superior to angels (Heb 1) became for
a little while lower than angels (Heb 2). He supersedes Moses because he is our
apostle and high priest (Heb 3). As such he can identify and sympathize with
our weaknesses and temptations, and he can come to our aid. Therefore, we can
approach the throne of God with boldness and confidence (Heb 4).
Hebrews 5 now draws comparisons and contrasts between Jesus and the high
priests (like Aaron) who preceded him. Both he and they were taken from among
men, dealt gently with people, knew human weaknesses, offered sacrifices for
sin, and were appointed by God.
Yet Jesus Christ is infinitely superior to all others! In fact his
priesthood is not based on Aaron or taken from the tribe of Levi. His perfect,
eternal role as high priest is connected with one named Melchizedek, who was a
priest of God in the days of Abraham. The writer of Hebrews will explain more
about all this, but first he exhorts his readers to mature and sharpen their
dull hearing skills!
5:1-10 Jesus Our
Qualified High Priest
5:1-4 What are the Criteria?
5:5-10 How did Jesus Meet Them?
5:11-14 So Learn and
Grow!
------------
These are lesson
notes, not written in a polished or finished manuscript form.
To see thumbnails of
all posts on this blog:
To receive email
notifications of future posts, enter your email address at the lower left
corner of the page where it says, “FOLLOW BY EMAIL.” You'll get an email from
FeedBurner. Just click the link inside it to confirm that you want to
subscribe.
For the other
lessons in this series, click on the "Hebrews - God's Better Way” link in
the left column on this page.
------------
5:1-10 Jesus Our Qualified High Priest
5:1-4 What are the Criteria?
A man … from among men … on behalf of men.
In things pertaining to God.
Brings God to man … and brings man to God.
To offer gifts and sacrifices.
Able to deal gently with ignorant and misguided …
Neither too lenient nor too harsh.
Obligated to sacrifice for others and himself (first) …
Because he is beset with weakness.
Not self-appointed, but called.
As Aaron (Moses’ brother, the first high priest).
5:5-10 How did Jesus Meet the
Criteria?
Not self-appointed, but called. Ps
2:7; 110:4
Offered up prayers and supplications.
Beset with weakness: loud crying and tears.
He was heard, but His life was not spared. Why?
Does His suffering contradict His sonship … or confirm it?
Should a son be forced to suffer?
How does a son learn obedience?
How does a perfect son “become perfect?”
How does this idea prepare for Heb 12?
“All who obey Him (who act upon what they hear) …”
Source, author = the origin of, the cause of, the one responsible for.
“The order of Melchizedek”
To be developed further in Heb 7.
Melchizedek (Gen 14:18-20):
A contemporary (not a
descendant) of Abraham.
A priest by divine decree
Many generations before Moses,
Aaron, and the Law
God promised that the Christ would also be a priest …
By divine decree. Ps 110:4
Not by Aaronic descent.
After the order (nature,
type) of Melchizedek.
Much more to say …
But … the hearers are dull of hearing! (Note: It’s not only preachers who can be dull!)
So, Heb 5:11 – 6:20 is a parenthesis on maturity.
5:11-14 So Learn and Grow!
We might also title this section, “For Mature Audiences Only!”
How do people become “dull of hearing?”
Why “ought” we to be teachers “by this time?”
If we ought to, but are not … why not?
Why not just stay on an all-milk diet?
What are the benefits of teaching the Word to others?
How do Christians become mature?
By adding meat to our diet,
one bite at a time.
By exercising – teaching
what we do know.
By learning to discern;
training our senses.
By constantly practicing
what we profess.
Result: the ability to distinguish good from evil.
Note Jas 3:1 – Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing
that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
Putting the two together (Heb 5:12 and Jas 3:1) we see that those who
teach are to be mature and aware of a stricter level of accountability. All may
agree that those who teach must know the Word sufficiently and approach
teaching seriously. Such Christians then have a responsibility to become
teachers. And what a privilege that is! Those who diligently teach God’s Word treasure
every opportunity they are given.
No comments:
Post a Comment