Jesus is Better - Hebrews 5
Opening Discussion:
What comes to mind when you think of a priest? Is the Old Testament important
to understand the context of the New Testament? How were people made right with
God in the Old Testament? How has Jesus given us access to God now?
Hebrews
4:14-5:10
14 Since then we
have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of
God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who
is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has
been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw
near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help
in time of need.
5:1 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. 2 He can deal gently with the
ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of
this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for
those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when
called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be
made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today
I have begotten you”; 6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest
forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of
his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and
tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of
his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he
suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation
to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order
of Melchizedek.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton,
IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Heb 4:14-5:10.
Study
Notes
WEEK 5 NOTES:
Hebrews 4:14-5:10
The High Priest in
Israel had various roles, but his prominent responsibility was offering the
sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. The role of the High Priest began with
Aaron. In short, the High Priest performed specific rituals to prepare himself
for the task. This process is described in Leviticus 16 and 23:27-28. After
bathing and wearing special garments, the High Priest would then sacrifice a
bull for a sin offering for himself and his family. He would bring two goats,
one to sacrifice and the other to serve as the scapegoat. He would place his
hands on the scapegoat to represent the sins of Israel being released, thus
allowing Israel forgiveness for another year. After sacrificing the other goat,
he would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle the blood onto the ark of the
covenant to pay for the sins of Israel.
The High Priest was
the only person allowed behind the veil into the very presence of God. Many men
had this role, however, there is only One Man that earned the title Great High
Priest. Jesus both offered the sacrifice and became the sacrifice. He did not
need a goat, because He is the Lamb. Jesus’ sacrifice also needs no repetition —
it is once and for all. But what else makes Jesus the Great High Priest?
He is a
Sympathetic Priest.
He can sympathize
with our weaknesses. He knows how we have stumbled into sin. He understands how
we have been tempted. He knows the pain of loss, He has undergone humiliation
and faced so many difficulties. He has, in a sense, been in our shoes. He is a
priest who understands what we face.
He is a
Sinless Priest.
Tradition tells us there
were a combined 78 High Priests who served in either Solomon’s Temple or the
Second Temple. Of all the High Priests, each could likely sympathize with us in
one way or the other, but not one of them lived a life of perfection. Jesus is
the Great High Priest because He was the sinless Servant. No Old Testament
priest could claim perfection. This is demonstrated in the fact that after
presenting the sacrifice in the holy of holies, the priest would immediately
leave the presence of God. Jesus, however, was able to pass through the heavens
and is now seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us.
He is a Sufficient Priest.
Hebrews 5 tells us
that Jesus is “a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” What does this
mean? It teaches us that Jesus has no beginning and no end, and He is a priest
outside of the order of Levi. This means He is both priest and King. Not only
is His job as the High Priest sufficient for the atonement of sins, but it also
grants sufficient access for saints to approach His throne.
He is a
Suffering Priest.
Let’s not forget
that for Jesus to become the Great High Priest, He had to suffer. Jesus
suffered on the cross. He didn’t offer the blood of goats or bulls. He offered
His own blood on the cross… the blood of the Lamb. Jesus paid it all. His
payment completely cleanses anyone who places their faith in Him. Don’t miss
the power of this. Right now, Jesus gives you access to the presence of God
through prayer any time you want.
QUESTIONS
FOR DISCUSSION
Have you considered
how important it is that Jesus sympathizes with you? Why is it important that
Jesus sympathizes with us without ever sinning?
Are there times in
your life where you think (or believe the lie) you couldn’t possibly be
forgiven?
Discuss all Jesus
suffered and endured on the cross as a group.
Do you take the
invitation in Hebrews 4:16 seriously? How often do you approach the throne of
grace for help in time of need?
END
Teacher Notes:
''Well, then you
won’t have to spend an hour here on things like transfer. You can even do your
shopping online. Believe me, everything will be so easy!'
I was really excited
about introducing him into the world of Net banking.
He asked ‘So, if I
do that, I won’t have to step out of the house?
''Yes, yes'' that’s
right, I said. I told him how even groceries can be delivered to your door now
and how Amazon delivers everything!
His answer left me tongue-tied.
He said, 'Since I
entered this bank today, I have met four of my friends, chatted a while with
the staff who know me very well by now and I know them.
I am alone now, and
this is the company that I need. I enjoy getting ready and coming to the bank.
Two years ago, when
I got sick, the store owner where I buy groceries came to see me and sat by my
bedside and we just talked and talked.
Does Amazon deliver
this as well?
Look at what I would miss if everything I did became online.
What I learned today
was how the old puts the new in context.
I gave always wondered if this ever really happened...
John Latina – USC
Offensive Line coach (2004 – 2008)
Latina has served
on staffs at Pittsburgh (1982), Temple (1983-88), Kansas State (1989-93), Clemson (1994-98) with Tommy
West, Ole Miss (1999-04), USC (2004-2005) with Steve Spurrier, Notre
Dame (2005-08) and Akron (2010-11).
My younger brother
was working at Clemson with the team when Latina coached. John Latina was an
Italian/Catholic and he and my brother were always having theological
discussions – regarding Catholics vs Protestants. My brother was in Latina’s
office one day and…
Latina said, “John,
do you realize that I can call my priest right here from my desk without going
in and give my confession.”
John said, “do you
realize I can sit right here in your office and pray to Jesus and have my sins
forgiven.”
“Darn, that’s
pretty good!”
Understanding
Hebrews will change your perspective in so many ways. It will solve some of the
big questions about God that Christians ask. It will reconcile the differences
in the covenants and give you a clear and true picture of God.
