Hebrews 4:14-5:10
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The Great High Priest:
The Great High Priest:
READ THE PASSAGE: including 4:12/13
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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.”
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. 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.
Intro:
Review of last passage:
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Creation and Exodus narrative in the previous passage:
We are left standing in the garden, naked and exposed. Fruit dripping off our cheeks. Or we turn and see Moses’ shining face and have to turn down the music and shut down the smelting pots for the golden calf.
Typical pattern we’ve seen in Hebrews there is a warning and the beginning of V14 reviews the warning, Since then
So as with the typical pattern we’ve seen in Hebrews there is a warning and V14, Since then
1. there is a promised rest that we must strive to enter
2. the word of God is able to divide to the heart, to discern every thought
3. No one can hide or flee from God’s knowing.
4. Since one one after Adam’s sin can stand unashamed before God and give account.
-------> now a promise
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.
What is a priest? an authorized agent of God performing rites and rituals. As a matter of function: A mediator a go-between with God and man. and mover. His ceremonial life is spent passing back and forth from God and man in the Tabernacle and eventually the Temple.
GREAT from the word megas (megaphone) has specific connotations that we will see later, but rememeber the word LOUD, it’s part of the meaning of great given here.
Passing through the heavens phrase should envoke an image of coming and going.
Who is the Priest here?.. THE SON OF GOD reflecting which is the original quote of our author in
For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
Where do we know of God coming and going through the heavens?
And in the context of creation: the Spirit hovered over the waters (he was the go-between in the firmament (actually canopy or sky not created until v6&7)
And in the context of Exodus: God came down to the Mount for the giving of the law and dwelt in the holy of holies.
And in we see he put on flesh and dwelt among us.
And in the ascension. He was taken up… moving through the heavens between man and God.
He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)
Tip of the hat to Levitical themes here where the priest was responsible for filling up the oil for the lampstand Exodus 27:21, the bread for the table of showbread, the water for the washings.....
Most importantly Jesus is this high priest who moved through the heavens with the proper credentials. (think how the right badge gets you access, further and further)
And it’s these credentials that form our confession.
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.
The apostle, sent one from God
but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
and the high priest
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, 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.
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.
And we are to HOLD our confession. The word there being present tense (continue to do it) and meaning with all strength.
This is the content of the confession rather than the act of confession. It is a part of the promise we mentioned above.
I see this next verse as the dividing line. AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN. Only God in the flesh holds that credential.
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.
Double negatives: to remind of what we DO have.
Jesus is the one who:
provides the promised rest, 4:8
destroyed the devil with death 2:14
created all things 2:10
made propitiation 2:17
Part B of v 15. EVERY RESPECT
Not only every temptation but is like us in every respect.
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, 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.
What is every respect has been tempted?
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.
Just everything right? Let’s not gloss that though.
lust? gluttony? laziness? envy? gossip? cheating? lying? EVERYTHING
This is a crucial part of his credentials for propitiation according to 2:17. That one from humanity would be required for effective satisfaction.
DRAW CHIASM
14 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.
15 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.
16 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.
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.
A. great high priest v14
B. Sympathy with our weakness v15a
C. Without sin v15b
D. Throne of Grace v16
C’. Beset with weakness v2a
B’. Since he is beset he can deal gently v2b
A’. High priest chosen among men v1,v4
Drawing near - sacrifical language but this time we receive the gifts. mercy and grace.
We “bring near” to the Throne, Christ our mediator. Our credentialed propipator, God-Man.
Brief look at the Throne.
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with the face of a man, and the fourth living creature like an eagle in flight. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.
And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind:
2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.
3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald.
4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
Does that sound LOUD, Great to you?
Our GREAT high priest, in his power, giving gifts of mercy and grace in time of need.
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.
more language of mediation, coming-and-going between. “on behalf on men in relation to God”
How did this begin?
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
“Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests—Aaron and Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
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.
He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
1 The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died,
2 and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.
3 But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering.
4 He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on.
5 And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
6 “Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.
This is on the day of atonement. Sin offering must be made for the priest as well.
So the priest can deal gently with the people because God has dealt gently with him.
Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
It shall be square and doubled, a span its length and a span its breadth.
Leviticus 1:
The Lord called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any one of you brings an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering of livestock from the herd or from the flock.
“If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without blemish. He shall bring it to the entrance of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the Lord. He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. Then he shall kill the bull before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall bring the blood and throw the blood against the sides of the altar that is at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Then he shall flay the burnt offering and cut it into pieces, and the sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. And Aaron’s sons the priests shall arrange the pieces, the head, and the fat, on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; but its entrails and its legs he shall wash with water. And the priest shall burn all of it on the altar, as a burnt offering, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. But in this way Aaron shall come into the Holy Place: with a bull from the herd for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He shall put on the holy linen coat and shall have the linen undergarment on his body, and he shall tie the linen sash around his waist, and wear the linen turban; these are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water and then put them on. And he shall take from the congregation of the people of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.
“Aaron shall offer the bull as a sin offering for himself and shall make atonement for himself and for his house.
-Allowing them into his presence
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”;
And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Aaron called by God
A GENEOLOGY:
Jacob---->Levi----->Kohath------> Miriam, Moses, Aaron
------->Nadab, Abihu, Eleazor, Ithamar
42 generations from Abraham to Jesus (chosen from among men)
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”;
Jacob------->Judah------>
Uniquely, God chose Christ
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
today I have begotten you.
The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’
I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “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.”
as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
His “other” place is . Which we covered in the Advent series.
Why go to Mel? Who is Melchi?
17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.)
19 And he blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!” And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
The word ORDER here is interesting because it connotates procedure, rites, rituals.... a priestly activity.
And yet his ORDER, his priesthood is both King and Priest
That is peculiar to Jesus as well.
His prophesied line (david) was not priestly FROM JUDAH NOT FROM LEVI
SIDE NOTE: rememer the genelogy of Aaron?
His wife is Elisheba daughter of Ammanidab who is from the line of ???? JUDAH!!! King and priest together
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.
REMEMBER LOUD FROM
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.
It echoes (the messianic psalm)
Who is he LOUDLY crying out to on the Cross but the loud throne of God we saw in
From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,
This is Christ with great power calling out to the great power of the Throne of God to save him from death.
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.
Death and ressurection is a persistent, necessary and wholesome narrative in the bible.
corruption (destruction) is anti-creation.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
So God will rescue Jesus from Death (descruction) not dying to a new ressurection.
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
A son’s growth,
I mean that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything, but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
a)Made perfect - telos completion, end of
completion, end of
b) source: ground for complaint; this is the propitiation aspect of the cross. God’s basis for a charge is laid completely on his Son. VERY DARK....
being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
designation c/f
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”;