Jesus, the Great High Priest
Notes
Transcript
Drawing near with confidence - 4:14-16
Drawing near with confidence - 4:14-16
Author returns to his primary message of Jesus, our High Priest - Heb 2:17
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.
Jesus passed through the heavens in His role as High Priest, which corresponds to the veil of the tabernacle - Heb 6:19-20
We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
The result should be that we hold fast (not let go of) our confession - Matt 16:16; John 6:67-68
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,
Jesus can sympathize (understand) our weaknesses, since He has been tempted in every manner in which we are tempted - Rom 8:17; 1 Cor 12:26
and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
Yet He did not sin - 1 Pet 2:21-23
For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
So we should approach the throne of God with confidence - not in ourselves - but in our High Priest, who mediates for us - 1 Tim 2:5-6
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
Role of the priest - 5:1-3
Role of the priest - 5:1-3
Appointed to represent men before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins - first 7 chapters of Leviticus
But he also deals with the people he represents, even the ignorant and misguided, with gentleness
Human priests were weak themselves, so they had to offer sacrifices for themselves as they did for the rest of the people
This is how they sympathize with the people (they were never to consider themselves above the people) - Phil 2:3
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Appointment of the priest - 5:4-6
Appointment of the priest - 5:4-6
No one lawfully took the role of high priest for themselves, but were appointed by God, as was Aaron - Num 16:3, 39-40
They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar, to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses.
The Christ did not take this role for Himself, but was appointed by God as David prophesied - Psa 2:7; 110:4
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.”
This priesthood is eternal, which is very different than the Aaronic priesthood
Preparation of the priest - 5:7-10
Preparation of the priest - 5:7-10
Jesus served as High Priest for His disciples with prayers, accompanied by emotional outbursts - Luke 22:31-32; 6:12-13
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:
His prayers were heard because of His piety, and that is still true today
Although He was Son of God (fulness of divinity), He learned obedience (God does not obey anyone)
This lesson is taught through suffering
He was made perfect, He did not come already perfected
When He became perfect, He was then prepared to be the source of salvation for all, and God designated Him for that role
Question for next week:
What is necessary to be a teacher of God’s word?
What are the elemental teaching about the Christ?
Why is it impossible to renew some to repentance?
How do we keep from falling away?