Overview of Hebrews 4:14-5:12

THE HIGH-PRIESTHOOD OF JESUS

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Introduction: This section picks up the theme of Jesus' work for us now (see 1:4; 2:17).  Here, Jesus is called our great high priest, or as one commentator has styled him, "Our Man In Heaven."

    I. His Is A Victorious Priesthood (4:14)

            A. He has "passed through the heavens."

            B. Note that the writer uses His human name "Jesus"                   rather than His divine title, "Christ."

            C. His position is declared to be "the Son of God"               (cf. 1:1-4, etc.).  Never let that relationship            out of sight!

            D. Our benefit from His victorious priesthood is the             power to "hold fast our profession."

   II. His Is A Compassionate Priesthood (4:15-5:3)

            A. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities              (weaknesses).

            B. He was tempted in all points as we are.  (But what                    about temptations peculiar to elderly people, or                    women, or married people, or people who have lost                   their jobs, etc.?)

            C. Yet, He was without sin.  (We may be tempted to                     think He may be harsh with us, since we have               sinned, whereas He did not!)

            D. But note the blessing: boldness to ask for grace             and help, just when we need it most.  (According                   to P. T. Forsyth, prayerlessness is the root of               all sin.  When we do not give time each day to            earnest and believing prayer, we are saying that                     we can cope with life without divine aid.  It is                  human arrogance at its worst.  It is "practical              atheism," for we profess faith in God, but believe                  we can do without Him.)

  III. His Is A Submissive Priesthood (5:4-8)

            A. Jesus' submission is demonstrated in the following                   four ways:

                    1. His appointment by God (vv. 4-6)

                    2. His dependence on God (v. 7a)

                    3. His reverence for God (v. 7b)

                    4. His obedience to God (v. 8)

   IV. His Is An Effective Priesthood (5:9,10)

            A. He learned obedience by suffering.  (Does this               imply that He had ever been disobedient?)

            B. When He is said to have been made "perfect," does                 it mean He had been imperfect?

                    1. He became "fully qualified" as our high priest                       in those sufferings.

                    2. Remember, Jesus did not serve as a priest on                     earth.  Why not?  (Hint: see Heb. 8:4).

            C. He became the "author" of eternal salvation.                  (But, whom does He save?)