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<h2><a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,'1-');">Hbr 5</a> - Jesus, A Priest Forever</h2>
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<p>A. Our Compassionate High Priest.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,'1-4');">1-4</a>) Principles of priesthood under the Law of Moses.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things <i>pertaining</i> to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer <i>sacrifices</i> for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron <i>was.</i></span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">For every high priest taken from among men</span></b>: God established both the priesthood and the office of high priest in the days of Moses, as described in <a onclick="return mV('Exd',28,1);">Exd 28:1</a> and following. The writer to the Hebrews neatly summarizes the work of the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b>, in saying <b><span class="c3">that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins</span></b>. The primary job of the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> was the officiate, either directly or indirectly through lower-ranking priests, sacrifices unto the Lord.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The phrase <b><span class="c3">gifts and sacrifices for sins</span></b> reminds us that not every sacrifice was a blood atonement for sins. Many of the ritual sacrifices were intended to be simple gifts to God, expressing thanks and desiring fellowship.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">He can have compassion</span></b>: Ideally, the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> was more than a "butcher" offering sacrifice. He also had <b><span class="c3">compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray</span></b>, and ministered the atoning sacrifices with a loving heart for the people. In this ideal, the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> has this <b><span class="c3">compassion</span></b> because he understands that <b><span class="c3">he himself is also subject to weakness</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. God made specific commands to help insure the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> would minister with compassion. In the breastplate of the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> were set twelve stones engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, and on the shoulder straps were stones engraved with the names of the tribes. In this, the people of Israel were always on the <i>heart</i> and on the <i>shoulders</i> of the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',28,'4-30');">Exd 28:4-30</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins</span></b>: God also made specific commands to help insure the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> would minister with awareness that he was <b><span class="c3">also subject to weakness</span></b>. On the Day of Atonement, the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b> had to sacrifice for himself first, to remind himself and the nation that he had sin to atone for, just like the rest of the people of Israel (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',16,'1-6');">Lev 16:1-6</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was</span></b>: Of course, the High Priest was taken <i>from</i> the community of God's people; but was not <i>chosen</i> by God's people, but appointed by God <i>for</i> His people. But it was important to state that <b><span class="c3">no man takes this honor to himself</span></b>. The office of high priest was nothing to aspire to or campaign for. It was given by right of birth, it was chosen by God. It was an honor no man could <i>take</i> to himself.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. The true priesthood, and the <b><span class="c3">high priest</span></b>, came from a specific line of descent. Every priest came from Jacob, Abraham's grandson, whose name was changed to Israel. Every priest came from Levi, one of Israel's thirteen sons. <span > </span>God set the tribe of Levi apart as a tribe committed to His service and as representatives of the whole nation (<a onclick="return mV('Exd',13,2);">Exd 13:2</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Num',3,'40-41');">Num 3:40-41</a>). Gershon, Kohath and Merari were Levi's three sons; each of these family lines had their own duties. The family of Gershon had care of the tabernacle's screen (veil), fence, and curtains (<a onclick="return mV('Num',3,'25-26');">Num 3:25-26</a>). The family of Kohath with this family had care of the tabernacle's furnishings, such as the lampstand, altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant (<a onclick="return mV('Num',3,'31-32');">Num 3:31-32</a>). The family of Merari had care of the boards and pillars of the tabernacle and the fence (<a onclick="return mV('Num',3,'36-37');">Num 3:36-37</a>). These families were not properly <i>priests</i>, though they were <i>Levites</i>. The priesthood itself came through Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the family of Kohath. Aaron's family and their descendants made up the priests and the high priest, those able to serve in the tabernacle itself and to offer sacrifice to God. The high priest was generally the eldest son of Aaron, except if they disqualified themselves like Nadab and Abihu (<a onclick="return mV('Lev',10,'1-3');">Lev 10:1-3</a>) or according to the regulations of <a onclick="return mV('Lev',21,'1-');">Lev 21</a>. In this sense, the priesthood was not popularly elected, but chosen by God, not appointed by man.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. There are some dreadful instances where men presumed to act as priests who were not priests, such as Korah (<a onclick="return mV('Num',16,'1-');">Num 16</a>), Saul (<a onclick="return mV('1Sa',13,'1-');">1Sa 13</a>) and Uzziah (<a onclick="return mV('2Ch',26,16);">2Ch 26:16</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. We can also not take the honor of being our own priest. It is great arrogance to think we can approach God on our own, without a priest; but it is great superstition to think we need any other priest other than Jesus Christ Himself. God has provided a mediator, a priest, and we <u>must</u> avail ourselves of the priest God has provided.</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. "A sinner can undertake to manage nothing towards God immediately, or by himself, but with a mediating priest, who must know God's mind and perform it...The common sense of mankind about it since the fall doth evidence it; no nation being without a religion, a temple, a place of worship, or a priest." (Poole)</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,'5-6');">5-6</a>) Jesus is qualified to be our High Priest.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, <i>but it</i> was He who said to Him: "You are My Son, today I have begotten You." As <i>He</i> also <i>says</i> in another <i>place:</i> "You <i>are</i> a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek";</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest</span></b>: Jesus did not make Himself High Priest. Instead, just as much as Jesus was declared to be the <b><span class="c3">Son</span></b> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',2,7);">Psa 2:7</a>), He was also declared to be <b><span class="c3">a priest forever</span></b> (in <a onclick="return mV('Psa',110,4);">Psa 110:4</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. It was easy to see why the priesthood of Jesus would be difficult for early Jewish Christians to grasp. He was not from the lineage of Aaron. Jesus claimed nor practiced no special ministry in the temple. He confronted the religious structure instead of joining it. In Jesus' day, the priesthood also become a corrupt institution. The custom had become High Priest in those days through intrigue and politicking among the corrupt priesthood. </p>
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<p class="c5">ii. <b><span class="c3">A priest forever</span></b> is an important contrast. Jesus' priesthood (like Melchizedek's) is unending, but no High Priest descended from Aaron ever had a <b><span class="c3">forever</span></b> priesthood.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">Today I have begotten You</span></b> refers to Jesus' resurrection from the dead. At that time He fully assumed His role as our great High Priest, <i>having been perfected</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,9);">Hbr 5:9</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Jesus' resurrection demonstrated that He was not a priest like Aaron, who had to atone for his own sin first. The resurrection vindicated Jesus as the Father's <i>Holy One</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Act',2,24);">Act 2:24</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Act',2,27);">2:27</a>), who bore the wrath sinners deserve, without becoming a sinner Himself.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',7,'1-');">Hbr 7</a> will more fully develop the theme of Jesus as a High Priest <b><span class="c3">according to the order of Melchizedek</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',7,'7-11');">7-11a</a>) The compassion of Jesus, our High Priest.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>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, though He was a Son, <i>yet</i> He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek," of whom we have much to say,</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">When He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears</span></b>: The agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gesthemane (<a onclick="return mV('Mat',26,'36-39');">Mat 26:36-39</a>; <a onclick="return mV('Luk',22,44);">Luk 22:44</a>) proves He knows what it is like to struggle with the difficulty of obedience, yet He obeyed perfectly.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. This answers the question, "How can this glorious, enthroned Jesus know what I am going through down here?" He knows; obedience did not always come easy for Jesus.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. The word for <b><span class="c3">supplications</span></b> is <i>hiketeria</i>. This ancient Greek word essentially means "an olive branch wrapped in wool," because that is was someone in Greek culture would hold and wave to express their desperate prayer and desire. Significantly, this supplication of Jesus took place in a garden of olives - and he supplied the "wool," being the Lamb of God!</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">And was heard because of His godly fear</span></b>: If Jesus asked that the cup be taken away from Him (<a onclick="return mV('Luk',22,42);">Luk 22:42</a>), and the cup was not taken away, how can it be said that He <b><span class="c3">was heard</span></b>? Because His prayer was not to escape His Father's will, but to <i>accept</i> it - and that prayer was definitely heard.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">He learned obedience by the things which He suffered</span></b>: How could Jesus (who never stopped being God) <i>learn</i> anything? Then again, how does God, enthroned in heaven <i>experience</i> <b><span class="c3">obedience</span></b>, except by casting off the glory of the throne and humbling Himself as Jesus did?</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Jesus did not pass from disobedience to <b><span class="c3">obedience</span></b>. He learned <b><span class="c3">obedience</span></b> by actually obeying. Jesus did not learn <i>how</i> to obey; He learned what is involved in obedience.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">He learned obedience by things which He suffered</span></b>: Suffering was used to teach Jesus. If suffering was fit to teach the Son of God, we must never despise it as a tool of instruction in our lives.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Some say that we <i>might</i> learn through suffering; but such lessons are only God's second best. God really intends for us just to learn by His Word, and it is never His real plan for us to learn through trials and suffering. But was Jesus ever in the Father's <i>second best</i>?</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The Bible never teaches that strong faith will keep a Christian from all suffering. Christians are appointed to affliction (<a onclick="return mV('1Th',3,3);">1Th 3:3</a>). It is through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God (<a onclick="return mV('Act',14,22);">Act 14:22</a>), and our current suffering is the prelude to glorification (<a onclick="return mV('Rom',8,17);">Rom 8:17</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">f. <b><span class="c3">Having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation</span></b><span>: </span>Jesus' experience of suffering makes Him perfectly suited to be the <b><span class="c3">author</span></b> (the source, the cause) of our salvation.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Some don't want Jesus to be the <b><span class="c3">author</span></b> of their salvation. They want to write their own book of salvation. God won't read it! Only Jesus can <b><span class="c3">author</span></b> your eternal salvation.</p>
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<p class="c4">g. Notice that this salvation is extended to <b><span class="c3">all who obey Him</span></b>. In this sense, <b><span class="c3">all who obey Him</span></b> is used synonymously for believing on Him - which simply assumes that believers will obey!</p>
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<p class="c4">h. <b><span class="c3">Called by God as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek"</span></b><span>: </span>The emphasis is repeated. Jesus is a <b><span class="c3">High Priest</span></b>, who was <b><span class="c3">called by God</span></b> (not personal ambition), according to the order of <b><span class="c3">Melchizedek</span></b>. The <b><span class="c3">much to say</span></b> comes in <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',7,'1-');">Hbr 7</a>.</p>
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<p>B. An exhortation to maturity.</p>
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<p class="c1">1. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,11);">11b</a>) Their dullness of hearing is exposed.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">Since you have become dull of hearing</span></b>: This explains why the writer doesn't go into the topic of Melchizedek right away. He wants to address some critical basics before going on to more intricate topics, but their spiritual condition makes it <b><span class="c3">hard to explain</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. He fears the discussion of Aaron and Melchizedek and Jesus will sound too academic and theoretical to his readers. At the same time, he recognizes this says more about his <b><span class="c3">dull</span></b> <i>hearers</i> than the <i>message</i>.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Being <b><span class="c3">dull of hearing</span></b> is not a problem with the ears, but a problem with the heart - you just aren't really interested in what God has to say to you. Not wanting to hear the Word of God points to a genuine spiritual problem!</p>
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<p class="c4">b. These Christians who felt like giving up with Jesus were also <b><span class="c3">dull of hearing</span></b>. The dullness usually comes first, then the desire to give up. Watch out when the Word of God starts seeming dull to you!</p>
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<p class="c4">c. They have <b><span class="c3">become dull of hearing</span></b>. <b><span class="c3">Become</span></b> is an important word. It indicates that they didn't start out that <b><span class="c3">dull of hearing</span></b>, but became that way.</p>
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<p class="c1">2. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,12);">12a</a>) Their failure to mature is exposed.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need <i>someone</i> to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God;</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">By this time</span></b>: According to the time they had been followers of Jesus, they should have been much more mature than they were.</p>
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<p class="c4">b. <b><span class="c3">You ought to be teachers</span></b>: It wasn't that these were unique people who would hold a unique role of teaching. Instead, they <b><span class="c3">ought to be teachers</span></b> in the sense that all Christians should be teachers.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. There is an important sense in which every Christian must be a teacher, because we can all help disciple others. We really only master something after we have effectively taught it to someone else. Teaching is the final step of learning.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">You need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God</span></b>: This isn't to their credit. It isn't that <b><span class="c3">the first principles</span></b> are "beneath" the mature Christian. Rather, the sense is that one should be able to teach one's self, and remind one's self of these <b><span class="c3">first principles of the oracles of God</span></b>.</p>
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<p class="c1">3. (<a onclick="return mV('Hbr',5,'12-14');">12b-14</a>) A contrast between <i>milk</i> and <i>solid food</i>.</p>
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<p class="c2"><span>And you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes <i>only</i> of milk <i>is</i> unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, <i>that is,</i> those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.</span></p>
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<p class="c4">a. <b><span class="c3">And you have come to need milk</span></b>: <b><span class="c3">Milk</span></b> corresponds to the <i>first principles</i> of <a onclick="return mV('Hbr',6,12);">Hbr 6:12</a>. <b><span class="c3">Solid food</span></b> is the "meatier" material such as understanding the connection between Jesus and Melchizedek. It isn't that <b><span class="c3">milk</span></b> is bad; but these Christians should have added <b><span class="c3">solid food</span></b> to their diet. Peter reminds us all <i>as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby</i> (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,2);">1Pe 2:2</a>).</p>
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<p class="c4">b. In the original language, the sense of <b><span class="c3">for he is a babe</span></b> is <i>for he has become a babe.</i> There is nothing more delightful than a true babe in Jesus. But there is nothing more irritating and depressing than someone who should be mature but who has <i>become</i> <b><span class="c3">a babe</span></b>!</p>
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<p class="c5">i. Have you <b><span class="c3">become a babe</span></b>? Perhaps your Christian life is unstable. Babies are handed from one person to another; babes are <i>tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,'14-16');">Eph 4:14-16</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. Have you <b><span class="c3">become a babe</span></b>? Perhaps you are divisive in your Christian life. Babies each have their own crib that they stick to; babes have their particular denomination or church that they think of as "my church."</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. Have you <b><span class="c3">become a babe</span></b>? Perhaps you are star-struck by Christian celebrities of one kind or another. Babies are focused on one particular person (mommy); babes glory in men (<i>I am of Paul, I am of Apollos</i>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. Have you <b><span class="c3">become a babe</span></b>? Perhaps you are spiritually asleep. Babies need a lot of sleep; babes spend much time spiritually asleep.</p>
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<p class="c5">v. Have you <b><span class="c3">become a babe</span></b>? Perhaps you are fussy and cranky with others. Babies can be cranky; babes will fuss over any little thing.</p>
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<p class="c4">c. <b><span class="c3">Is unskilled in the word of righteousness</span></b>: Those who have <i>become</i> babes reveal themselves because they are <b><span class="c3">unskilled in the word of righteousness</span></b>. We don't expect brand new Christians to be <i>skilled</i> <b><span class="c3">in the word of righteousness</span></b>, but those who have been Christians for a time should be.</p>
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<p class="c4">d. <b><span class="c3">Who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil</span></b><span>: </span>Our <b><span class="c3">senses</span></b> are <b><span class="c3">exercised</span></b> (trained by practice and habit) <b><span class="c3">to discern both good and evil</span></b> (doctrinally, not morally). How are our <b><span class="c3">senses exercised</span></b>? Plainly, <b><span class="c3">by reason of use</span></b>. When we decide to <b><span class="c3">use</span></b> discernment, we mature.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. These Christians demonstrated immaturity by both their lack of discernment between <b><span class="c3">good and evil</span></b> and in their contemplation of giving up with Jesus. The mature Christian is marked by their discernment and by their unshakable commitment to Jesus Christ.</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. The ability to <b><span class="c3">discern</span></b> is a critical measure of spiritual maturity. Babies will put <i>anything</i> in their mouths! Babes are weak in discernment, and will accept any kind of spiritual food.</p>
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<p class="c4">e. <b><span class="c3">Have their senses exercised</span></b>: It can be said that all five human senses have their spiritual counterparts.</p>
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<p class="c5">i. We have a spiritual sense of taste: <i>If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious</i> (<a onclick="return mV('1Pe',2,3);">1Pe 2:3</a>). <i>Taste and see that the <span class="c6">Lord</span> is good!</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',34,8);">Psa 34:8</a>)</p>
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<p class="c5">ii. We have a spiritual sense of hearing: <i>Hear and your soul shall live</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',55,3);">Isa 55:3</a>). <i>He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Rev',2,7);">Rev 2:7</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iii. We have a spiritual sense of sight: <i>Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Psa',119,18);">Psa 119:18</a>). <i><span > </span>The eyes of your understanding</i> (heart)<i> being enlightened</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',1,18);">Eph 1:18</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">iv. We have a spiritual sense of smell: <i>He shall be of quick scent in the fear of the <span class="c6">Lord</span></i> (<a onclick="return mV('Isa',11,3);">Isa 11:3</a>, RV margin). <i>I am full, having received from...you, a sweet-smelling aroma</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Phl',4,18);">Phl 4:18</a>).</p>
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<p class="c5">v. We have a spiritual sense of touch or feeling: <i>Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the <span class="c6">Lord</span></i> (<a onclick="return mV('2Ki',22,19);">2Ki 22:19</a>). <i>The hardening of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to licentiousness</i> (<a onclick="return mV('Eph',4,'18-19');">Eph 4:18-19</a>).</p>
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