Hebrews 5: A High Priest

Hebrews 5: 1–10

“Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

“He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.

“And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.”

“And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

A better high priest

When we come to this large section about priests in Hebrews, it’s fair to ask the question “What’s this got to do with me?”

Often, we look to things or to someone to provide satisfaction and meaning. And when that happens, then like the original audience for this letter, I’m looking for a “Jesus substitute”—another priest.

I can hear you thinking, “I’ve never gone looking for another priest! All of the Old Testament rituals and sacrifices and priests have nothing to do with me today.”

The covenant that God makes with His ancient people includes a priesthood. The priesthood was established in that men from the Jewish tribe of Levi were appointed to serve as bridge builders to God. They were representatives of God to the people but primarily their function was to bring people to God.

When the priesthood and the system of sacrifices were established under Moses it was a foreshadowing of what was to come. It was an imperfect system that pointed to a perfect priest that would one day represent me before God. Jesus is that.

Here, in Hebrews 5, the writer lays out the qualifications for the Old Testament priests and lets us know that Jesus fully qualifies as a high priest and that He is superior to all previous high priests.

Implications for us

For the Jewish Christians seeing this letter, he’s reminding them that Jesus is uniquely qualified to bring them to God. He has all the Old Testament qualifications and more.

These are the three qualifications:

Every high priest is selected from among men

Within our evangelical tradition, much is made of the divinity of Jesus. That’s important. Jesus is fully God. In His earthly ministry, He laid aside His privileges and rights as God but is fully God in human form. But we must never understate that Jesus came as fully human in every way.

As our high priest, He is completely able to empathize with us. In the last verses of Hebrews 4, it says of him that as our high priest he has been tempted in every way and yet was without sin.

That means that whatever we're tempted with, Jesus experienced it. As a human, he comes alongside of me when I’m hurting, weak, when I’ve been overwhelmed. He doesn’t turn away from me when I’ve succumbed to temptation and I’m ashamed of my actions. He’s experienced those exact temptations. In His case, he never succumbed but He fully understands where I’m at and what I need in those moments of my failure.

The high priest and those in the priesthood were selected among humans. Not angels, not some super race of humans—ordinary humans who were able to sympathize and empathize with ordinary people. They were not above others.

They came alongside with one purpose: to bring people back to God. Look at verse 2, “He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray.”

The priest was empathetic and understanding. It was easy to turn to them when you were at your lowest or your worst. As fully human, Jesus fully identifies with you.

Offers gifts and sacrifices for sin

For the Old Testament high priest his most important job was to make sacrifices for the people’s sins one day a year on the day of atonement. On that one day he would go through a cleansing ritual and then would enter what was called the Holy of Holies.

He accessed the Holy of Holies behind a heavy drape where he would sprinkle blood on the mercy seat to offer it to God. An innocent life of a sacrificial animal was taken to atone for the sins of the people. He was there to plead their case and to ask God for the forgiveness of sins.

In the story of Jesus’ crucifixion that when Jesus died—at that moment the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. That curtain was the one that the high priest went behind. It separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple. Historians tell us that the curtain was about 60 feet high and four inches thick, made of twisted linen.

It’s clear that in the death of Jesus His death is the ultimate and final sacrifice that would be entirely sufficient for all sins to be covered. The curtain separating off the Holy of Holies was no longer needed. There would no longer be a need for a high priest to go behind that curtain to offer sacrifices ever again. Jesus is the sacrifice and Jesus is the high priest that erases the need for further sacrifices.

He’s appointed by God

Every priest under the Old Covenant was appointed based on heredity. The tribe of Levi was the God-appointed tribe, so a priest had to come from the tribe of Levi. For the high priest, you had to be a descendant of Moses’ brother, Aaron. Look at verse 4, “No one takes this honour upon himself; he must be called by God just as Aaron was.”

And here is a potential problem. Jesus is neither from the tribe of Levi nor is He a descendant of Aaron. Jesus is a descendant of the tribe of Judah. Judah is the kingly tribe and its members were excluded from the Jewish priesthood.

In verse 6 there is a quote from Psalm 110 about the Messiah, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” What is that about and who was Melchizedek?

Melchizedek makes two appearances in the Old Testament. Genesis 14:18–20 is the first reference to Melchizedek. 1000 years later, David mentions him in Psalm 110. That’s it. We don’t know where he came from, who appointed him, or who his people were. He’s the king of Salem which some scholars believe to be Jerusalem.

Here’s what’s unique about Melchizedek; He is both a king and a priest of God. There is no other king who is a priest or priest who is king in all of scripture. Those two roles are incompatible for the same person.

Kings rule through issuing laws and decrees. Kings are about truth and justice and punishing evildoers. Priests are all about coming alongside sinful people. A priest stood before God on your behalf to present the sacrifice to pay for your sins. Melchizedek is the only one who performed both roles.

The Messiah would be the other one who functions in both roles. In John’s gospel, he introduces Jesus in verse 14 as “full of grace and truth”. Jesus didn’t balance grace and truth. He was full of grace and full of truth. As our King, He’s our ruler. He is the standard of truth. As our priest, He is full of grace. As a king, He’s over me. As a priest, he’s beside me.

We need a priest and a king and Jesus is both of those. So why does this matter?

We need Jesus as both priest and king

He’s a perfect, eternal priest

Jewish priests had all kinds of limitations. They were imperfect. Think of the Old Testament character named Eli. He was a high priest but was deeply flawed. He allowed his sons to abuse people in the temple. Some priests were unsympathetic and uncaring. As humans, they were sometimes unavailable.

Jesus is available 24/7. You never have to wonder when you come to Him if He’s having an off day or if He has time for you. You never have to wonder if He’s had enough of your mistakes and failures and, maybe this time, He’ll refuse to represent you to God. You never have to wonder. He’s the perfect, eternal, always available priest.

He’s passionate about you

In verses 7–9 we are given a glimpse into Jesus’ agonizing prayer as He was facing the cross. He prays with loud cries and tears for the cup of suffering to be taken from Him. However, as the obedient son of Father God, He takes on my punishment and becomes the source of my eternal salvation.

If He had chosen to escape the cross, He could have. But He didn’t. He saw your salvation and He took it on. He’s passionate about you and your standing before God.

We come to a Throne of Grace

Have you ever needed something from someone, but were hesitant or afraid or ashamed to ask them? When you come before God’s throne to ask God for what you need, the invitation from 4:16 is to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

It’s a throne, so you are coming before the all-powerful king. That king has called it a throne of grace. He will, in every circumstance, respond with grace and favour that you didn’t earn.

Jesus purchased it. He paid for it in full. There is nothing you can do or be required to do to strengthen your case. It’s not a throne where you must prove that you’re good enough or have done enough. And when you come to the throne of grace, you will “receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.”

— Notes from Pastor Marvin Wojda’s sermon on May 8, 2021

CLICK HERE to watch the Hebrews 5 sermon on YouTube.

Hebrews 1: Introduction

Hebrews 1:1–4 and 2:1–4

“In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So, he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? 

This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs, wonders, and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

Who Were the Early Readers?

While the book of Acts and most of Paul’s letters are written to and about first-generation Christians, Hebrews is primarily written to followers of Jesus who were at least one generation away from the birth of the church in Acts 2. 

Those early apostles and leaders of the newly birthed church were eyewitnesses of Jesus. Some of them were with Him when He died and then actually talked with Him and touched Him and ate with Jesus after He rises from the dead. 

Some of them literally saw Him ascend into the clouds. Being an eyewitness left a powerful impression and they were passionate followers of Jesus through severe persecution and trials. 

This next generation was hearing the stories from the eyewitnesses but was a step removed. That’s all good until you encounter opposition—either the opposition of internal doubt or external opposition like persecution for your faith.

Hebrews is a letter to those who need encouragement to keep on following Jesus. This is a letter to Christians who are starting to lose their passion, who are drifting, who are entertaining thoughts of quitting, who see the appeal of an easier life.

So that’s the reason the letter was written and the context for this letter. The opening is all about Jesus.

Jesus is God’s Final Word

Hebrews 1:1 says, “In the past, God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways.” Think about all the ways that God has communicated. Almost from the beginning of God’s dealings with humankind, God has spoken His truth through prophets. They were God’s representatives who were the human mouthpiece for God. They were the primary way of communicating God’s message, but there were certainly other ways. 

God spoke to Moses out of a burning bush. He spoke to Balaam through a donkey. He spoke to a pagan king in Daniel’s time through a hand literally writing on a wall at a banquet. Often God spoke through angels and through dreams and visions. 

God’s message through these various means was always accurate but it was incomplete. God always had more to say. The coming of Jesus was not only the culmination of God’s expression, but Jesus’ coming to earth was the fullest and final expression of God to us.

The prophets were used by God to let us know certain things. As the full and final expression of God, He wants us to know Him. Through Jesus, God wants us to know who He is. 

The writer frames it this way, “In these last days”. From now to the end of human history, there is no fuller expression of God than Jesus. Jesus is the embodiment of God. If you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus. If you want to know God, enter into a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is God’s final word. 

Jesus is Superior to All Others

From verse 2 to the end of chapter 1, we have this impressive list of all that Jesus is and all He’s done that clearly establishes that Jesus is better, that He is superior to anyone or anything.

He is appointed by God as heir of all things

Everything that belongs to God belongs to Jesus. We’re not waiting for anyone greater than Jesus. When God spoke through prophets and angels and a donkey and dreams and visions, it all pointed to Christ. It was all focused on Him. When you’ve got Jesus, you have God’s best.

The writer goes on, “Through whom He made the universe.” Google tells me that the diameter of the universe is about 93 billion light-years. One light-year as a unit of length is equal to just under 10 trillion km. Run the numbers of 10 trillion times 93 billion and you’ll get the diameter of the observable universe. Scientists tell us that the universe never ends and that it is constantly expanding. 

According to NASA, if the solar system was shrunk down to the size of a football field. Our sun, the largest thing in our solar system, is the size of a dime on a football field. The inner planets including earth are the size of grains of sand. Mars would be the size of half a grain of sand. You get the point. It was all created through Him and by Him.

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory

In Exodus 24, God calls Moses to come up to Mount Sinai. God wanted to speak with Him. As Moses goes to speak with God, a cloud settles over the mountain. The Israelites down below see what looks like a large fire burning on top of the mountain.  That glow is the radiance of God’s presence. 

In chapter 34 as Moses comes off the mountain with the stone tablets, it says that his face was radiant. It was so bright that he had to cover his face with a cloth just to be around others. The blinding glow coming off his face was just a reflection of the radiance of God’s presence. 

Jesus is that radiance. He is clothed in human flesh as the covering for the radiance—otherwise, when He came to earth, no one could have looked at Him or been around Him.

He is the exact representation of God’s being

Jesus is literally the precise reproduction of God’s being in every respect. The phrase used in Hebrews describes what happens when a signet ring is used. The impression the ring leaves is exactly what is on the ring.

He sustains all things by His powerful word

Not only was Jesus active in the creation of the universe, but He is also active in sustaining creation. Think about the delicate balance of nature. Our earth spinning at precisely the right speed, the sun, moon, stars precisely located to sustain life. Jesus holds it all in check. He sustains all things by the power of His word.

Get where the writer is going? Point after point, he’s saying that Jesus is God. Jesus is fundamentally different from any other prophet. He didn’t just give the Word of God He is the Word of God. He is the full expression of what God communicates to us.

If that isn’t enough, he adds in verse 4 and following that Jesus is superior to angels. Angels serve as messengers of God. It’s amazing when an angel is dispatched by God to speak to humans. We have Jesus who is superior to angels.

Why it Matters

In chapter 2 verse 1, a few words into the verse there is a “therefore”, “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore to what we have heard”. What comes next is the “why” behind having an accurate understanding of who Jesus is. 

So that we do not drift away

Drifting is never a good thing. When your car drifts into oncoming traffic, or when a plane or a ship drift off course, there are going to be serious consequences. 

I have found that when it comes to a person’s spiritual life they usually don’t veer off the path—it’s usually a slow drift. They pursue some interest and start to lose focus on spiritual growth.  Or, as was probably the case for the original recipients of this letter, the persecution and the difficult circumstances of their lives were pushing them off course. They were drifting away from Christ.

Later on, in Hebrews 12, he’ll write, “Fix your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” The antidote to drifting is to stay focused on this amazing, one-of-a-kind Jesus who he has described in 1:1–4. 

How shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?

Our eternal salvation that is secured for us by Christ is of such great value that we dare not treat it lightly or cheaply. Jesus is superior to all things and I can have full confidence in Him and in the salvation that I have in and through Him. 

Don’t neglect it. Don’t toss it away for anything, because anything else will not and cannot satisfy. Because of who Jesus is, I won’t drift and I won’t neglect the salvation that was given to me.

— Notes from Pastor Marvin Wojda’s sermon on April 10, 2021

CLICK HERE to watch the Hebrews Intro sermon on YouTube.