6.8.43 9.22.2024 Hebrews 5.1-10 Perfect Priest, Enduring Example

Start:

Entice: We grow up with models we follow for who we want to grow up to be. When we hoped to be a baseball player, we chose a favorite player as a “role model.”

Football?

Basketball??

Yes, and yes.

As we get a little older and grow into our bodies, we realize that we need to model our “game” on those with similar physical stature and ability. There are lots of great examples that are not good for us for reasons we may or may not outgrow.

With Jesus, there is something of a dilemma. No matter how closely we follow we will never be the incarnate Son of God. In our best attempt at realizing the image of God in which we are created we will always fail.

However, in His priestly role,

Jesus demonstrates, Jesus presents

achievable benchmarks for our faith.

Engage: In about 10 weeks we will begin thinking earnestly about the Christmas season. God in flesh. Baby in manger. All of that. The Hebrew Epistle gives us several weeks head start as we are continually reminded of the

superiority of the Son.

However, in His High-priestly vocation one of His primary purposes is to show us how to live out our calling to responsible faith.

Expand: Jesus provides an example that is empowering because He is following perfectly a path that was followed imperfectly in the past.

He offers not only a

redeeming sacrifice

but a

realistic structure

for how we can follow our own path of discipleship.

Once again sound, Biblical Theology

informs our minds and

guides our footsteps.

Excite: Today’s text is not an explanation of nor meditation on the mystery of incarnation. However, what it teaches us is not possible without that reality. Jesus became like us. He became like other human High-priests. He shared human limitation and potential and that is why this priesthood like that of Melchizedek is so enriching for our faith.

Explore:

It is Jesus’ “priestly” understanding of His duty, and His obedience to His purpose that guides our own discipleship.

Expand: Consider four aspects of His High priesthood that help us share the ministry mindset of Jesus.

Body of Sermon:

1 His Appointment.

Hebrews 5:1–6 ESV

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 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 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”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

1.1 Chosen

Specifically, He is chosen from among us to represent us.

And the choice means that He is

1.2 Obligated

to offers sacrifices and offerings.

1.3 Called

He is appointed by God,

Anointed by God,

Acclaimed by God.

Next, we need to consider His

2 His Attitude.

Hebrews 5:7 ESV

7 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.

2.1 Humility

He was heard because of His

2.2 Reverence

Next, let’s consider His

3 His Approach.

Hebrews 5:8 ESV

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

3.1 Surrendered His own rights.

3.2 Learned the lesson of obedient suffering.

Finally, consider

4 His Acceptance.

Hebrews 5:9–10 ESV

9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

4.1 Made perfect

4.2 Source of Eternal Salvation.

Shut Down

As Christians we rightly spend a lot of time thinking about the divine identity of Jesus,

We think about His cross.

We celebrate His resurrection.

We thrive because of His indwelling Spirit.

All those things are possible for us because He embraced the possibilities of the priesthood presented to Him. Not based in the old order but replacing it.

He enables us to embrace our Christian walk and provides a model for us to understand our own discipleship. It is our appointment, our calling. It forms our attitude. He models an approach, and an acceptance of what our calling entails. Not “embracing fate”—but embracing real, consequential faith.

Jesus is the source of an eternal salvation that we live out every day, as we walk by faith…not in His shadow but by His side.