HeBrews: A Better Blend
This month in our stroll through the book of Hebrews we are going to examine chapter 5. Much of this chapter deals with the issue of the BETTER priest. This would have been a topic that would have evoked very intense feelings from a Jewish person.
The word ‘better’ suggests the need for improvement in something or someone. Consider the meaning of the word from the Encarta dictionary: indicating that somebody, something, or an action is superior in some way to something or somebody else or is an improvement upon a situation; more acceptable; of greater quality; improved in health; to higher standard; preferably; surpass something; improve self or thing; superior person.
To the religious elite of the first century, the idea of a better High Priest was nothing short of heresy. How dare anyone suggest a deficiency in the priesthood, yet that is exactly what the author of the book of Hebrews does, and he does it with the full permission of God. The Jewish Christians of that day would have been familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the priesthood, although I am not sure they fully realized the implications of a New Priest.
Let’s begin by reading our focal passage. I am going to include the final 3 verses of chapter 4 in our reading because they fit with the subject matter perfectly. Hebrews 4: 14 – 5: 14 (NIV):
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. ” 6 And he says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” 7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
MEDITATION MOMENT: Which verse or verses speak to you? Why? Share your thoughts with us.
