A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. ⁸ Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; ⁹ and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, ¹⁰ having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.”  Hebrews 5:7-10

“…the order of Melchizedek.”

Melchizedek — is clearly a “key word” in this central section of Hebrews (He 5:6, 10, 6:20, 7:1, 10, 11, 15, 17). And despite his prominent place in this letter Melchizedek was a very mysterious priest/king who met Abraham when he returned from defeating the marauding confederation of kings from the north ( Genesis 14:17, 18, 19). In the Genesis account, he is merely called “king of Salem” (meaning “peace”) and “priest of the most high God” (the Hebrew name is El Elyon, “highest God”).

Melchizedek is discussed in greater detail in Hebrews 7:1-21 and as Harry Ironside writes “It is enough to point out here that Melchizedek was recognized as priest of the most high God centuries before the Levitical priesthood came into existence. The Levitical priesthood and the legal covenant with which it was connected had their place until the Son, who was to fulfill the Melchizedekian type, should come. (H. A. Ironside Expository Commentary on Hebrews)

Well before any priest came onto the scene, there was the priest to G-d known as Melchizedek. He was a man – chosen by G-d – compassionate – and he learned through suffering. Suffering is one of the human conditions that I struggle with the most. I have often wondered at the purpose of suffering – the place of suffering – and the need for suffering. It is like wondering why teeth have nerve roots – as my dentist often laments. Tell me the purpose of teeth having nerves, and I will tell you why people need to suffer.

The best we can hope for us determining what we can learn from our suffering. We can learn much about ourselves, our faith, our endurance, and our purpose in life through suffering. If we never to suffer, we might never learn our personal limits, our personal strengths, and our personal fulfillment.

I do not think suffering is redemptive – that was accomplished for us through Christ and his suffering. But, I do think suffering teaches us endurance and helps to form our character – helps us to achieve that Christ-like life.

Pastor Dave

 A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; ³ and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. ⁴ And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one 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,
according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:1-6

“The qualifications for high priest are stated in these verses, Aaron serving as the model:

(1) he had to be a man (Hebrews 5:1); (2) he had to be compassionate (Hebrews 5:2) (3) he had to be chosen by God (Hebrews 5:4, 5, 6) (4) he had to learn through suffering (Hebrews 5:7, 8).

The Jewish high priests were ordained for men; they acted on behalf of men, and they stood in the place of men. So the Lord Jesus Christ stood in the room, place, and stead of His people, that He might offer to God for them two things—gifts—that is, such offerings as the Jew made when he presented the fine flour, and oil, and other bloodless oblations that were only intended for thanksgiving. Christ offered thanksgiving unto His Father, and that offering was a sweet savor unto God. But besides those gifts, the priests offered sacrifices, and our Lord Jesus Christ did the same, for He was made a sin offering for us, though He Himself knew no sin.” (Commentary on Hebrews 5, Precept Austin, February 26, 2015)

According to the author of Hebrews, Jesus offers to G-d two things on our behalf — “gifts” and “sacrifices” – both at the same time. The gifts are “Thanks Offerings” to G-d – which we in turn, offer out gifts to Jesus so they are offered to G-d. Jesus is our mediator – Jesus is our Advocate to G-d. He advocates on our behalf – and for that gift to us, we offer our gifts to Christ. Your gifts and my gifts are not the same gifts. We each need to determine what our gifts are, and then find ways to offer them to Christ.

In turn, Christ is also given to G-d as a sacrifice for us, and therefore we strive to live a life of righteousness that we cannot accomplaish on our own. We are by nature sinful and unclean. As such, we cannot achieve any sense of “sinlessness”. But, we can seek to increase our righteousness, our “goodness”, which may seem like an unachievable goal, but as Christ is sacrificed on our behalf, it is not one that is not to be “forgotten” either.

Pastor Dave