So far we've seen that Chist is greather than prophets, angels, Moses, and Joshua. Now we'll see how Christ is greater than the levitical priesthood.
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| Jesus | >> | Prophets | Angels | Moses | Joshua | Levitical Priests |
important idea for Jews who were used to approaching God through the high priest from the Levitical Priesthood.
Jesus was not a priest while he was here on earth (he was from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, he paid taxes at the temple that priests were exempt from), not in the priestly line, but the kingly
| Christ's Offices | |
Then |
Prophet |
Now |
Priest |
Future |
King |
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Heb 4:14)
4:14-15
Let us again hold fast to our confession. Notice its saying hold fast to our confession (our witness), not hold fast to our salvation. The risk is not losing salvation, but not clinging to what we've confessed.
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Hold Fast to Our Confession because our High priest can |
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Heb 4:15)
4:15 – our Lord sympathizes with our weaknesses.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb 4:16)
4:16ish the devil tries to get us to run away from God not run to the throne of grace in our time of need.
the mercy seat is always sitting on the ark of the law.
Boldy = not the same as brashly, it denotes rathera freedom of speech with God.
God's throne was formerly one of judgment...now a mercy seat, throne of Grace.
We are redeemed by the mercy of God.
Help = speaks of the future.
2nd para (5:1-4) If you have weakness you can have compasson on those going astray.
For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. (Heb 5:1)
5:1
definition of a priest
-taken from among men (a man)
-ordained for man in things pertaining to God (ordained on behalf of men)
-must be acceptable to God (God to God for men)
Priest in the OT did not tell what God had to say, that was the prophet's job.
Jesus = now the only priest (represents us before God).
A priest functions for saved sinners, not lost sinners.
Priest can offer both sacrifices and gifts. (Christ even offered himself)
sins = plural, not singular.
He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. (Heb 5:2)
Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. (Heb 5:3)
And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. (Heb 5:4)
So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You." [23] (Heb 5:5)
5:5 Christ did not glorify himself, instead he humbled himself.
As He also says in another place: "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek"; (Heb 5:6)
5:6 Melchizedek means the king of Righteousness. Salem (peace).
Gen 14:19-20, Ps 110 = Melchizedek mentions in OT. Gen = Abraham pays tithes to M. and M. congratulates A. on his recent battle. Ps110 = a prophesy that a priest was coming after the order of Melchizedek. Here we get the interpretation of Melchizedek. More on this in ch. 7.
who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, (Heb 5:7)
5:7 Only three times in bible when Jesus crying is recorded. 1 - at the tomb of Lazarus. 2 - over the city of Jerusalem. 3 - garden of Gethsemane (a person expressed sentiment that he'd like to keep Jesus from the cross by having killed hima nother way. cup = death? didn't want Satan to kill Jesus in the garden? (McGee's interpretation). (Luke 22:42)
In the days of Christ’s flesh he offerd up prayer and petitions.
Him who is able to save Him from death = God the father.
Supplications = petition, pleadings
God uses sufferings to teach us obedience. Obedience = the foundation of the word.
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Heb 5:8)
And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Heb 5:9)
5:9 - eternal salvation, not temporary salvation you can lose tomorrow.
called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," (Heb 5:10)
of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. (Heb 5:11)
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