Our New Testament reading this week comes from the Book of Hebrews, which was written primarily for the early Jewish believers in Jesus. Many of them were suffering strong persecution for their faith, both from their former religious leaders, and from the government. Because of this, there were some who were being drawn to apostasy, to turn back to their former Jewish faith. The author was urging them not to fall victim this, that Jesus was the Messiah, and was superior to all in the Old Covenant. In our passage today, the author is emphasizing that Jesus is the true High Priest, superior to the high priesthood of Aaron.
In verses 5 and 6 we read how Jesus was both God’s Son and His chosen High Priest. The Old Testament references the author gives are from Psalm 2:7, and Psalm 110:4. Even though Jesus was of the tribe of Judah, not from Levi, He was chosen by God to be our High Priest, just as Aaron had been initially chosen. In the Old Testament God had chosen Aaron to be the high priest, and only his descendants could follow in that position. Now God has chosen Jesus. He was divinely appointed. Jesus’ priesthood is superior because He is also a king, and has no earthly succession, just like Melchizedek, the king and priest of the city of Salem which was later to become Jerusalem. (Genesis 14:18-20; Hebrews 7).
The high priests of the Old Testament performed sacrifices for their own and for the people’s sins. Jesus, who had no sin of His own, was the sacrifice for the sins of the people. Though Jesus was God, the Second Person of the Trinity, He was also truly human. His human nature dreaded the coming crucifixion, filling Him with natural fear. When He was in the Garden of Gethsemane and all alone, His friends having fallen asleep, He prayed with tears, crying out to God (vs. 7). Jesus was filled with anxiety and stress, causing Him to sweat blood, a condition known as hematidrosis. Facing the agonising torture of scourging and death by crucifixion, Jesus prayed to God to be delivered, but was prepared for that suffering by being obedient. His example of suffering pain and humiliation, and being obedient can sustain and encourage us in our trials and difficulties. Jesus prayed in reverent submission, willing to do what God wanted. His prayers were heard because of His reverence and obedience to the Father. God sent an angel to strengthen Him (Luke 22:43).
In heaven, prior to His incarnation, Jesus had everything. He was the second Person of the Trinity. However, Jesus emptied Himself and became man (Philippians 2:7). He accepted the pain and affliction of the crucifixion (vs. 8). He suffered everything for us. Jesus is the Captain of our salvation, and was made perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). We should not wonder if we are called to pass through suffering, as well. Jesus will give us grace to suffer for Him. Our afflictions which we suffer for Christ become jewels in our crown.
Because of His obedience in suffering death for our sins, Jesus can now offer eternal salvation to all who come to Him in obedience (vs. 9). True salvation will show evidence of obedience to God.
Jesus was without sin, but He became sin so that we, who are sinners, could be counted as sinless, and thus be admitted into heaven and God’s presence (II Corinthians 5:21). Man’s worst disaster is if they die in their sins (John 8:24), not accepting Jesus as their Savior and having their sin-guilt forgiven. If one dies in their sins, having never accepted Jesus’ sacrifice on their behalf, then there is eternal damnation. Don’t let that be your fate. Instead, turn to Him today.
Praise God!
ReplyDeleteMarsha, Bangs TX