Hebrews 5:1-4

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.

Jesus is our High Priest.  There are ways in which He is similar to the priests that served the nation of Israel and there are ways in which the differences between the two of them are stark.  The author of Hebrews describes what Israel’s priests were like in this passage so we can see some of these similarities and differences.

PRIESTS REPRESENT MEN BEFORE GOD: The basic job description of a priest is to represent God to the people and the people before God.  The priests in Israel were chosen from among the men and for the men to represent those men before God.  He would offer sacrifices on behalf of the sins of the people.  Jesus was far more than this because He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.  While priests were offering sheep and other innocent animals as sacrifice for our sin, Jesus offers His own body as the perfect, innocent and ultimate sacrifice.  The priests were only foreshadowing this saving sacrifice.

PRIESTS UNDERSTAND SIN AGAINST GOD: The priests could deal gently with the people he represented because he understood perfectly how easy it was to sin and how hard it was to live in obedience because he experienced the same things.  The priest would have to offer sacrifices for himself as well as others because he too was a sinner.  He related perfectly to sinners because he was one.  As he was responsible to make these sacrifices, he certainly would have been more attuned to the holiness of God and the terrible cost of sin; but he was still a sinner.  Jesus relates to us because He was tempted in every way as we are and suffered even greater levels of temptation, yet He never gave into that temptation.  His perfection is what made His sacrifice effectual. 

PRIESTS ARE CALLED BY GOD: Priests do not become priests by their own choosing.  They were appointed by God and recognized by the people.  They were given the authority to do the things they did because of their familial relationship to Aaron and their adherence to the standards revealed by God.  Jesus was appointed by God as the supreme sacrifice because He is the Son of God.  No other person on the planet throughout the history of the world could have done what He did.  Jesus is the only one chosen by God to be able to accomplish redemptions story.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows into our lives.  These blessings from God are always available to us as long as we remember the
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.    By the Holy Spirit   who dwells within us, guard   the good deposit entrusted to you. There is nothing more important th
Read more

Titus 1:1-4

Paul, a servan t  of God and   an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and   their knowledge of the truth,   which accords with godliness ,  in hope of eternal life, which God,   who never lies,   promised   before the ages bega n  and   at the proper time manifested in his wor d  through the preaching   with which I have been entrusted   by the command of God our Savior;   To Titus,   my true child in   a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Paul begins this book written to his co-worker whom he has left on the island of Crete, with his own job description.  Paul felt called by God and compelled by God to minister in the lives of other people.  Those who were unbelievers needed to hear the Gospel.  Believers needed to be brought to maturity in Christ.  He also had a deep desire to see Titus blessed and encouraged in the Lord.  These initial greetings give us insight into Paul’s heart. THE PURPOSE OF AN APOSTLE:
Read more