Hebrews 4:14-5:10 - Jesus Made a Better Atonement

And this morning we’ve come to a sort of pivot point in the unfolding argument of how Jesus is better than the old covenant, the old way of relating to God.

The argument in Hebrews so far has presented Jesus as the best prophet, the best messenger of God.

But there have been a couple of hints that this argument is going to shift to Jesus’ role as the best priest.

Back in Hebrews 2 we saw the argument that Jesus is better than the angels because he became human in order to save us from sin and death.

He gave us the message of what he himself was going to do.

And in Hebrews 2:17 we saw that Jesus became human “so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

Also, in Hebrews 3 we saw the argument that Jesus is better than Moses, the best human messenger of God.

And in Hebrews 3:1 we were exhorted to “consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.”

Now, Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest might be a little confusing.

And we tend to lack confidence in what we don’t understand.

I’m talking about true understanding rather than full understanding.

I don’t fully understand how my phone can connect with another phone so that I can talk to someone on the other side of the world.

But I truly understand that it works, and I truly understand how to use it.

So, I have confidence that when I type in my wife’s phone number, that she’ll answer and I’ll get to talk to her like she was standing right next to me.

I don’t fully understand all the intricacies and implications of Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest.

But we can truly understand that he is our Great High Priest, and we can truly understand how we are reconciled to God and forgiven because of his sacrifice as our Great High Priest.

And because of that true understanding we can have confidence in him, and confidence in our standing before God because of him.

But… if we haven’t truly understood Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest, then we will lack confidence in him.

In our passage this morning in Hebrews 4:14-5:10, God has shown us the legitimacy, sufficiency, and superiority of Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest so that we will have confidence in him and run to him in faith instead of running away from him in fear.

He does this first by simply stating the assurance of these truths, and then explaining the foundation of the high priest’s atonement, and how Jesus’ atonement is the fulfillment of that foundation.

So, first, let’s look at chapter 4 verses 14-16 to see the assurance of Jesus’ atonement.

Hebrews 4:14 ESV

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

Hebrews 4:15 ESV

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:16 ESV

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This is a bold and very applicable statement of…

The Assurance of Jesus’ Better Atonement (4:14-16)

We ought to hold fast our confession because Jesus is our great high priest who has passed through the heavens.

I already mentioned the two places earlier in Hebrews where the idea of Jesus being a high priest has come up.

And the author assumes the truth of that reality.

It is absolute truth that Jesus is our Great High Priest because he’s human like us, and he’s also God.

Jesus became human to die for us and pass through the heavens to sit at the right hand of the majesty on high to intercede for us at God’s throne.

Jesus passed through the heavens like the high priest would pass through the veil to the Holy of Holies to offer the atonement sacrifice once a year for the people of Israel.

And since Jesus has done that, we ought to hold fast our confession.

Keep saying the same thing about him as God has said in his Word.

Keep saying the same thing about him as each other.

Keep saying that Jesus is Lord.

Hold on to that confession.

And our confession is applicable to every aspect of our life because everywhere we are met with our own weakness and failures.

But Jesus, our Great High Priest, can sympathize with our weaknesses because he’s been tempted in every respect as we are, yet he did not sin.

He’s gentle, and compassionate, and merciful, and loving because he knows how difficult life is.

He knows.

He’s experienced sorrow, and loss, and grief, and pain, and temptation.

He knows.

He’s experienced all of these things to a greater degree than anyone ever has.

He knows.

But in all of his experience of hardship and temptation, he never sinned, so he can sufficiently pay for your sin with his life.

Because of Jesus’ atonement, his work at the manger, the cross, and the empty tomb, he has opened the way for us to come to God, to be reconciled to him.

The absolute truth of what Jesus has done doesn’t need to be fully understood.

But it does need to be truly understood so that we can have confidence.

Confidence to draw near to the throne of grace rather than dreading the throne of judgment.

Confidence to come to God with our worries and failures instead of hiding from him because of them.

Confidence that we won’t be kicked out of the family for our mistakes.

Because Jesus, the Son of God, is our Great High Priest.

And his atonement is way better than the old covenant priest’s atonement sacrifices.

So, how can we have this assurance?

How can we have such confidence in Christ?

How can we run to Jesus in our weakness?

How can we hold fast our confession like this?

Well, the author of Hebrews is going to answer that.

Next, in chapter 5, verses 1-10 he’s going to give us…

The Explanation of Jesus’ Better Atonement (5:1-10)

This is what our assurance in the atonement of Christ is based on.

It’s not blind faith, it’s based on the truth.

And it’s explained in two parts.

The first part is the foundation of the priesthood in the old covenant.

And the second part is the fulfillment of that priesthood in Christ.

So, let’s read verses 1-4 to see the foundation.

Hebrews 5:1–2 ESV

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. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

Hebrews 5:3–4 ESV

Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Here we have the explanation of…

The Foundation of Atonement in the Priesthood (1-4)

There are three things about the old covenant high priests that are foundational for Jesus’ fulfillment.

The first foundational aspect of the old covenant priesthood is it’s function.

Every high priest acts on behalf of God’s people in relation to God.

Again, this is the opposite side of the same relational coin to prophets.

Prophets speak for God to the people, and priests speak for the people to God.

And priests also offer gifts and sacrifices to God for the sins of the people.

When the people messed up, they would go to the priests so that the priests could offer the appropriate sacrifice to God to atone for their sin.

And even if the people didn’t realize that they had messed up, there was one day a year where the high priest would offer a special sacrifice for all the sins of God’s people for the whole year, the day of atonement.

Sacrifice is an interesting subject.

I spoke on this topic at the Sound Doctrine Conference about a month ago.

I encourage you to listen to that series, if you haven’t listened to it yet.

I’ll just summarize what sacrifice was always intended to be.

Offering a sacrifice was following the pattern God had set, relying on his provision, and understanding that you deserve death for your sin, but God had mercy and accepted a substitute in your place.

So, the first aspect of the priesthood is it’s function of interacting with God for the people by offering sacrifices.

The second foundational aspect of the old covenant priesthood is it’s sympathy.

It would be very easy to adopt a “holier than thou” attitude when everyone is constantly coming to you to ask you to offer a sacrifice for their sins.

But God made sure that they would remember their own sins.

Before the priests were allowed to offer sacrifices for anyone else’s sins, they had to offer sacrifices for their own sins.

They had to be reminded of their own weakness and failures before dealing with other people’s weakness and failures.

So that they wouldn’t get a big head, so they could deal gently with God’s people who were ignorant and wayward, and so they wouldn’t forget their own need for God’s mercy.

Somehow the religious leaders in Jesus’ time had lost sight of that.

The importance of understanding our own need for mercy and dealing with people’s failures and weaknesses in a gentle way.

Somehow, we also lose sight of that when we encounter other people’s sins.

We need mercy just as much as they do, so we ought to deal with them gently and lovingly like we would want to be treated.

So, the first aspect of the priesthood is its function toward God, and the second is it’s sympathy toward God’s people.

The third foundational aspect of the old covenant priesthood is it’s legitimacy.

The author of Hebrews calls the priesthood, specifically, the role of the high priest, an honor.

And no one takes that honor on himself.

No high priest was ever self-appointed because God would only accept a legitimate high priest whom he had appointed.

Aaron was the very first high priest called by God into that role, and all subsequent high priests were also called by God into that role.

Because the mark of legitimacy of the role of high priest was the very fact that God had called them to that role.

So, with that foundation of the function, the sympathy, and the legitimacy of the priesthood, let’s look at verses 5-10 to see how Jesus is the fulfillment of the priesthood, making a better atonement.

Hebrews 5:5–6 ESV

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 forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Hebrews 5:7–8 ESV

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.

Hebrews 5:9–10 ESV

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.

Here we have the explanation of…

The Fulfillment of Atonement in Christ (5-10)

In relation to the very same three aspects of the foundation of the priesthood but in reverse order.

Just as the old covenant priesthood was founded on the legitimacy of God’s call to that role, so also, Jesus’ legitimacy as our Great High Priest is the fulfillment of that priesthood as God called him to that role from eternity past forever.

The author gives us two quotes from Scripture to prove Jesus’ legitimate call to be our Great High Priest.

The first quote which was referenced back in back in chapter 1 verse 5, is from Psalm 2:7 “I will tell of the decree: The Lord said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you.”

This is a decree from God, a command, a legitimate appointment of the second person of the trinity to the role of Son from eternity past.

There was never a time when the second person of the trinity was not God the Son in relation to God the Father.

But this Psalm shows the legitimacy of that role through the decree, God the Father’s appointment of his Son to that role, that honor.

The second quote is from Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.””

Again, this is an authoritative declaration from God the Father.

He has sworn and will not change his mind.

And the thing he is so adamant about is the role he’s appointed his Son to.

A priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

We’ll get into the details of Melchizedek in a few weeks, but for now, just know that this is an eternal priesthood.

You see, the priests in the old covenant were only priests until they died.

But Jesus is a priest forever.

We can have confidence in the legitimacy of Jesus’ priesthood and atonement because God the Father has specifically called him to that role.

And his priesthood is eternal, called into the priesthood in eternity past and continuing in that role for the rest of eternity.

Now for the second fulfillment of the priesthood’s foundation.

Just as the old covenant priesthood was supposed to have sympathy for the people, so also Jesus has sympathy for us to an even greater degree.

Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears.

He was distressed, he felt weakness, he felt pain, sorrow, and agony.

And he cried out to God the Father in the midst of it.

On the Mount of Olives just before he was betrayed and arrested and sent to die, Jesus poured out his heart to God the Father.

Luke 22:39–44 says, “And he (Jesus) came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

He prayed to God the Father that he might be spared from the torment of the cross, but he also prayed, not my will but yours be done.

And God the Father heard him because of his reverence.

When our passage in Hebrews says that God heard Jesus because of his reverence, I think it’s getting at God the Father’s approval of Jesus’ statement, “not my will but yours be done.”

That is true reverence for God.

When we can come to God with our desires and wants and wishes and after we’ve poured out our heart to him we can say like Jesus, not my will but yours be done.

God doesn’t want us to hold our desires inside and simply take his sovereign will to the chin.

He wants us to pour out our heart and realize that his will, whatever it is, is better than ours because he’s all good and all knowing.

Even if his will means our suffering or if his will is exactly what we desired, ultimately it’s his will that we’ve got to follow, and we ought to want to follow it.

After referring to Jesus’ prayer in the midst of his suffering, the author of Hebrews says, “Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.”

Now, at first glance we might get the impression that the author is saying its an odd thing for a son to learn obedience through suffering.

But he’s actually saying the opposite.

The Greek is possibly more accurately rendered, “Although, being a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

It’s normal for children to learn obedience through suffering.

Proverbs 22:15 “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”

Proverbs 23:13 “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.”

Proverbs 29:15 “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

This is NOT to say that Jesus was disobedient and needed to learn to become obedient through punishment.

Jesus was perfectly obedient, and his learning was more like experiencing the divergence between his human will and God the Father’s will.

In his humanity, his frailty and weakness, he discovered that his flesh wanted to avoid the pain and suffering that was prepared for him.

But he overcame that and obeyed by remembering God the Father’s goodness and sovereignty, and his fear and anxiety turned into joy.

Hebrews 12:2 says that “because of the joy that was set before him Jesus endured the cross.”

His joy is what gave him the strength to go through with his death on our behalf.

His joy because of God the Father’s goodness and sovereignty.

Jesus suffered in his weakness and temptations more than any of us will ever experience in our lifetime.

And because of his suffering and weakness, he is able to sympathize with all of our weakness and suffering.

Remember… he knows, and he’s gentle and loving.

We can come to him in the midst of our suffering and pain and weakness, and know that he gets it.

We can run to him in faith rather than away from him in shame or fear.

Now for the third fulfillment of the old covenant priesthood’s foundation.

Just as the old covenant priests functioned by interacting with God for the people of Israel, Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest also functions in the same way but to a much greater degree.

Our text says in verse 9 that Jesus was made perfect.

This is just a passive participle meaning “being perfected” or “being completed.”

Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest was completed through his suffering so that he could sympathize with us.

But it was also completed through his sacrifice, the very function of the high priest.

And his sacrifice was much greater than the sacrifice the old covenant priests offered.

We’ll get into the details of Jesus’ greater sacrifice in chapters 9 and 10.

But here, just know that Jesus’ sacrifice of his own eternal life offered eternal salvation where the old covenant sacrifice on the day of atonement only offered a glimpse of salvation for a year.

The old covenant atonement sacrifice was always intended to look forward to the final atonement sacrifice that would actually bring salvation instead of just a hint of it.

Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to atone for the sin of all of humanity from all time, past present and future.

And the eternal salvation afforded by Jesus’ sacrifice as our Great High Priest is available to all who obey him.

But what exactly are we to obey?

The gospel.

Jesus’ message of salvation.

The gospel calls us to repent of our sin and selfishness and turn to faith in Jesus, and if we obey that call then we have eternal salvation in him.

Eternal salvation based on his eternal life and his eternal priesthood like Melchizedek.

Conclusion

So, in light of Jesus’ fulfillment of the priesthood in his legitimacy, sympathy, and function…

Can you hold fast your confession?

Are you able to run to him in faith rather than away from him in shame and fear?

Will you draw near to the throne of Grace in your need?

Jesus has made an infinitely better atonement than the old covenant priests.

His atonement is sufficient to reconcile you to God because he took your shame and punishment on himself.

So grab ahold of Jesus and never let go.

When life get’s hard hold on tighter.

When you are weak hold on tighter.

When you fall to sin hold on tighter.

Run into Jesus’ open arms and never turn away.

When life get’s hard run to Jesus.

When you are weak run to Jesus.

When you fall to sin run to Jesus.

Draw near to the throne of Grace and never fall back.

When life get’s hard draw near to Jesus.

When you are weak draw near to Jesus.

When you fall to sin draw near to Jesus.

The answer when we meet difficulties, weakness, and sin is not self-reliance, no it’s relying on Jesus.

We can’t make ourselves better, only Jesus can do that through his Word and his Spirit in our hearts.

We can’t clean ourselves up, we can’t fix our relationship with God.

We have to rely on Jesus and his atonement, his eternal salvation.

Now, if you don’t have this assurance, if you aren’t sure if Jesus is your Great High Priest, if you aren’t sure if you have been forgiven of your sin and reconciled to God…

Then all you need to do to have that assurance is to come to Jesus in faith.

Faith in him as your savior and Lord.

That means you rely on his work to be forgiven and you submit to his rule in your life.

Jesus is almighty sovereign God who became human to die in your place and rise from the dead three days later.

And he did that so that his death would pay for your death penalty, and his resurrection would pave the way for yours.

But only if you obey the gospel, only if you put your faith in him.

So, if you haven’t done that yet, then I beg you to do so right now.

Tell Jesus in prayer, and tell us so that we can rejoice in your eternal salvation.

Pray

Father, thank you for giving us your Son.

Thank you for accepting his sacrifice on our behalf.

Father, you are acquainted with our weakness and sin as the one we have sinned against.

But you sent your Son, Jesus to become personally acquainted with our weakness and temptations so that he can deal gently and mercifully with us.

You sent him to do that because in spite of your wrath against us because of our sin you still love us.

I pray that you would help us remember Jesus’ legitimacy, and sympathy, and sufficiency especially when we feel illegitimate and unsympathetic and insufficient.

When we feel weak and overburdened and weary, or when we feel shamed and embarrassed by our sin and failures.

I pray that you would help us remember to run into Jesus’ loving embrace, to draw near to your throne holding onto Jesus with all of our strength.

I pray that you would help us remember that through our faith in your Son, Jesus, your throne is not a judgment seat but a mercy seat.

We ask all of this in the precious name of your Son, Jesus. Amen.

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