July 15, 2021 — 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. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 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”; 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 accomplish 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