The Priesthood of Christ

Motivation

Believers often struggle with feelings of unworthiness or inadequacy when approaching God. This passage reassures them that Christ understands their weaknesses and invites them to come boldly, facilitating a personal relationship with God amid their struggles.

Review

Yahweh has revealed Himself through the Old Testament prophets, yet they offer only a partial glimpse of God’s revelation. The complete revelation of Yahweh is found in Jesus.

Jesus is the heir of all things, the creator of the universe, the radiance of God’s glory, the exact imprint of His nature, the sustainer of all creation, our deliverer, exalted above all, and superior to angels.

Jesus surpasses the angels in every way—by virtue of His divine power, His supreme authority over all creation, and His redemptive work as the Savior of humanity.

Moses had an important position as a servant of God, but Jesus is superior because he is the Son.

The promised rest of God was not fulfilled when Joshua brought the Israelites into the promised land; it is fulfilled in Jesus, where we can truly rest from tension and worry, no longer seeking to acquire or retain God's favor.

The word of God has the power to penetrate our innermost being, actively revealing what is hidden—even things we may not have recognized in ourselves.

Scripture Introduction

CONNECTION

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.

TAKE HOME

We hold firmly to our confession that Jesus is the Son of God. Because of this, we have confidence to draw near to God, knowing that Jesus is our advocate with the Father.

College Proof Reader vs. A.I. Grammar Check

Christians contemplating leaving the faith after suffering persecution.

Hold Firm to the Faith: Jesus, the Son of God v. 14

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.

His ascension following his resurrection

Steps of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement

There is no longer a need for an earthly priest.

Hold fast our confession, “Jesus, the Son of God”

*REFLECTION

As the Son of God, Jesus was raised from the grave through the resurrection. After forty days, He ascended to the right hand of the Father in heaven.

Approach the Throne of Grace Boldly vv. 15-5:10

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.

The throne was off limits because of uncleaness.

Faith that Jesus’ work has made us clean.

Receive mercy

Goodness expressed to the afflicted

Find grace

Goodness expressed to those who deserve punishment.

Jesus Our Priest: Compassionate with Our Struggles v. 15

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.

Jesus Our Priest: Appointed by God v. 1-6

Hebrews 5:5 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”;

Son: Royal office

Declared in Psalm 2

Hebrews 5:6 ESV

as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Priestly office

Foretold in Psalm 110.

Hint at the eternality of Jesus’ priesthood

Priest’s Role

Hebrews 5:1 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.

Man

Intermediate

Offer gifts

Offer sacrifices

a way back to Yawheh for those who wanted to come back.

Hebrews 5:2–3 ESV

He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.

Deal gently

To hold one’s emotions in restraint and balanced (feeling about others the right way).

Sacrifice for own sins

Hebrews 5:4 ESV

And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Man

Intermediate

Called

Jesus Our Priest: Modeled Dependence on God v. 7-10

Hebrews 5:7 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.

Prayer & Supplications: articulation of Jesus’ need and the emotional intensity and urgency in requesting it.

Cries: Loud voice

Tears: The Rabbis had a saying: ‘There are three kinds of prayers.

Prayer is made in silence

Crying with raised voice

But tears overcome all things.

There is no agony of spirit that Jesus has not come.

Jesus showed greater devotion than any earthly priest.

Hebrews 5:7 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.

The resurrection

Hebrews 5:7 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.

But we can hear his voice only when we accept in reverence what comes to us. If we accept it with resentment, the rebellious cries of our own hearts make us deaf to the voice of God. William Barclay

Hebrews 5:8 ESV

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

Jesus learned because he met each suffering with reverence.

Personally aquatinted with suffering.

Affliction tests our obedience and commitment to God. Do we mean what we profess or are we deceiving ourselves? It's better to learn now than the day of judgement.

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.

Complete as in fitted to redeem humanity. This is not in reference to morality.

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.

Not to those willfully and contently living in sin.

Wilderness generation

The current generation were about to follow the wilderness’ example

Follow the declared Son and priest, Jesus

*APPLICATION

We can confidently approach the throne of God, assured that we have a compassionate High Priest—approved by Yahweh and wholly devoted to His will.

Summary

We hold firmly to our confession that Jesus is the Son of God. Because of this, we have confidence to draw near to God, knowing that Jesus is our advocate with the Father.

*IMPLEMENTATION: Transformation

Hebrews 5:2 “He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.”

We are a royal priesthood, 1 Peter 2:9

We are to put on Christ, Rm 13:14

To hold one’s emotions in restraint and balanced (feeling about others the right way).

Bear with people who irritate you

Meekness with the foolish

Gentleness/exhortation with faults