Hebrews Chapter 5
Jesus is more or higher
One of the first questions a Jew would ask is: Who is the high priest who stands between you and God to sacrifice for you as a mediator? We can then answer: We have a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-22; Psalm 110:1-4; Hebrews 4:14-10:39).
The last of the Old Testament prophets was John the Baptist (Matthew 11:11). He cried out:
I baptize you with water, but He who cometh after me, who is mightier than me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with (a better word is: in) the Holy Spirit.
Thirteen times it says that Jesus is more or better. The climax is Hebrews 11:39-40; 12:1-2; 10:14. Jesus is the High Priest and also the sacrifice who gave Himself (1 Peter 3:18)!
All men are sinful and cannot come to God without a Mediator. That is the work of the priest and above all of the high priest (Hebrews 9:1-14; 10:14). Previously the high priest was allowed to appear before God once a year (Hebrews 9:7, 11-12). He came in the most holy place with blood for the sins of the people. Aaron’s sacrifices failed, for he could not purify the people (Hebrews1:3; 9:9; 10:12). The sacrifice of Jesus forgives us, and purifies our conscience and produces eternal salvation (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Aaron entered into the earthly sanctuary, which is also a picture of the heavenly sanctuary. The requirement of the Aaronic high priesthood is that he was taken from among men. He represents them before the Lord. Believers may now boldly approach the throne of grace, for their High Priest, the Lord Jesus, does meet all the requirements to appear before God both as God and as Man. That’s why we now have free access. Because of His human nature, our great High Priest can sympathize with us.
Aaron’s problem was that he also was a sinner and had to die. We do not need a loser, but we need a winner! No one can choose the priesthood. They must be called of God just like Aaron. That was confirmed by his staff which blossomed and bore fruit (Numbers 17). Korah, Dathan, and Abiram burned incense that the Lord had forbidden, and they were all killed.
Called to the priesthood
Herod appointed 28 high priests; 25 of them were not from the Levitical families. John the Baptist was in the line to be the high priest. Joseph was in the line of David to be their king. The Judaic
system was corrupt during the days of Jesus. Jesus did not give Himself the honour as High Priest, but His Father did.
Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee! (Ps. 2:7).
Jesus is David’s Son. Who is worthy to be the Priest and to be the King? Jesus has these rights. Through His resurrection He was exalted (Hebrews 13:20; 5:6; Psalm 110:4). The priesthood of the Lord Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews focuses on His priesthood being greater than that of Aaron. Jesus is not only fit by divine appointment to be the High Priest, but also because He as a Man knew human feelings – even to the deepest sorrows and the most severe pains (Hebrews 5:7-8). We also know that Jesus was aware of His death (Matthew 16:21). By the words “Take this cup away from Me” (Mark 14:36), we know that He did not mean His physical death, but to be delivered from God’s holy wrath against sinners. The cup points to God’s wrath (Isaiah 51:17-23). But not His will, but the will of His Father was the final factor for Him. He made Himself completely one with us and would taste death for each one of us (Hebrews 2:9). Jesus died on the cross for all our sins! He was saved
from death. His prayer was answered. Eternal death could not hold Him either. Jesus rose from among the dead after three days, and He became the great Victor for us. Hallelujah, what an amazing Saviour (verse 7).
Verses 8-9. It seems strange that the Son, who like the Father is omniscient, should have to learn something. He could only learn suffering by becoming a Man. In His suffering He learned what it means to obey the Father. Becoming perfect concerns His human nature. Paul encourages Timothy: “Remember Jesus Christ risen from the dead, the descendant of David according to my Gospel” (2 Timothy 2:8).
Verse 10. The Son returned to heaven after His work on earth was finished, where He was greeted as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek. The writer leaves that subject of Melchizedek as the priest, because the readers were still immature.
Verses 11-14. The third warning is that they, and we, should not remain immature. You are slow to hear. They are responsible for this themselves. We are called to grow. There is no end in growing. Falling behind in our development is always sad. We are called not only to be teachers, but to be able to explain the fundamental truths of our faith (1 Peter 3:15). They did not understand that it was all and only about Jesus. They had not learned to eat themselves, because they did not know the difference between good and evil.
They seem deaf to the teaching that Jesus as the High Priest can and wants to give us all that is needed. Our teaching and behaviour must always be linked together, otherwise we are hypocrites. Our spiritual maturity and our discernment are never separated. Neglecting the teaching of ‘Jesus alone’ has always consequences. The problem can be solved by surrendering to Him, looking to Him and thinking of Him constantly. Jesus is enough! Mature believers understand the heavenly priesthood of the Lord Jesus and they know how to approach the throne of grace. They can apply these truths in their own lives and also teach them to others.
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