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PRIEST ABOVE ALL PRIESTS. Hebrews 5:1-5. 8/20/2023. #15.
1 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. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 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.”
1. The High Priest
a. Comparison of Christ with position of High Priest
b. Old Testament system of priests, offerings, and laws
a1. God precisely prescribed how to serve Him
a2. System of offerings spelled out in detail
c. 3 areas of the ceremonial laws delineated
a1. The instruments to be used in service
a2. The people who would serve
a3. The time and manner of service
d. The High Priest was chosen (appointed) by God
a1. Aaron was chosen to be the 1st High Priest
b1. Aaron was not perfect nor pious
b2. Aaron’s descendants were serve after Aaron
a2. No one could serve who God didn’t select
2. The ministry of the High Priest
a. Aaron was a mediator between God and man
b. The HIGH PRIEST’s job was to offer gifts and offerings
a1. To seek forgiveness of sins
a2. Gifts – to offer sacrifices when sinned
a3. Offerings – specifically ordered sacrifices, such as the Day of Atonement offering
c. The HIGH PRIEST could have compassion on the people because he also is a sinner needing forgiveness
a1. Compassion (metriopathein – lit., between passions) refers to a medium ground between anger and apathy (to loathe the sin committed, but to gently deal with sinner)
a2. The HIGH PRIEST can identify with the sinners he serves, but he is subject to same flaws
d. Two kinds of sin
a1. Sins of ignorance (unaware of law) – inadvertent sin due to lack of attention or understanding of what is required
a2. Going astray = wandering off the right path either by inattention or willful rebellion
e. Before the HIGH PRIEST could offer for the sins of the people, he had to offer for his own sins (Lv. 16:3)
a1. There was an identification with the people in their sinful state
a2. Aaron’s ministry was from weakness
3. The new High Priest
a. The Old Testament HIGH PRIEST could not remove sin
b. The new HIGH PRIEST, Jesus Christ, had the same ministry of the Old Testament HIGH PRIEST, except He could overcome sin
c. Jesus had the same qualities of the Old Testament HIGH PRIEST, but without any of the weaknesses
a1. Aaron set the pattern, but Jesus completed the task after the original pattern
a2. As with Aaron, Jesus was appointed HIGH PRIEST
a3. Unlike Aaron, the Levite, Jesus was from the tribe of Judah (both priest and king)
a4. Hebrews 4:16-17 Jesus could identify with the sinners he mediated for, not because He was a sinner, but because He was tempted in all ways as we are, but without sin (Hebrews 10:1-10)
d. Jesus identified with our weaknesses through experiencing temptation first hand
a1. His conquest of sin was not only a proof of His worthiness as a sacrifice, but it was for us as well as both an advocate and redeemer
a2. Jesus did what no HIGH PRIEST could have done
e. John 1:14 Jesus is eternally begotten of the Father, as His eternal Son, whom He gave as a sin offering
Hebrews 10:1-10
1 For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said:
“Sacrifice and offering You did not desire,
But a body You have prepared for Me.
6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin
You had no pleasure.
7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come—
In the volume of the book it is written of Me—
To do Your will, O God.’ ”8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.