Hebrew is a book that many people seem to avoid. There are sections that are indeed difficult. It is a part of God’s written word and it is there to edify us. Jesus fulfils the three roles of Prophet, Priest and King. This section deals with our Great High Priest. His name is Jesus Christ. He makes intercession for us. Is he qualified for the job? If you go to a doctor you want to know if that person is qualified for the job. If you go to a dentist you want to know if that person is qualified for the job. Jesus is qualified for the job.

1 – Partially qualified priests (vs. 1-4)

Notice three things:-

• His appointment (vs. 1). They were taken from among men. A priest had to be a man. They had to be a man among men. They had to understand people. An angel for example could not understand the hurts and feelings of people. It is a human who understands humans. It was a divine appointment (vs. 4).
• His assignment (vs1) He was to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin. The people needed mediation for their sins. The problem today is the problem of sin. Sin is the root cause of all problems.
• His approach (vs. 2) He had to also offer sacrifices for his sins. He was a sinner himself. He did it with compassion. He had this compassion because he had his own weaknesses. We can be hard on other people and forget our own weaknesses. Other people’s sins can seem so big and our own sins seem so small. We all have blind spots. Ask other people and they will tell you! He was also compassionate because he offered sacrifices for himself.

2 – The perfectly qualified priest (vs. 5-10)

Now we can talk about the one and only great High Priest – Jesus. He is not one among many.

• His selection (vs. 5-6) – Jesus did not choose himself. It was God the Father who has chosen him. See Psalm 110:4. Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. See Genesis 14:18 & Hebrews 7:1. Melchizedek was a king and priest of the most high God. Jesus Christ is after this same order. He is qualified.
• His suffering (vs. 7-8) – Jesus went through the suffering of Gethsemane. It is not possible for us to understand what he went through. I am glad he did! He knows how I feel because he went through pain and suffering and carried my sins.
• His salvation (vs. 9) – He provides our salvation. He is the author of eternal salvation. It is not saved and lost. The salvation that Jesus provides is eternal salvation. I can wake in the morning and know that I am saved. See John 3:16 – “everlasting life”.

Jesus Christ is qualified for the job. How are you saved? Are you saved by something you done or something that was done for you? If it something that was done for you then your salvation cannot be lost. What about those who say they are saved and then go away from God. Only God ultimately knows whether they are saved or lost. Look for example at Lot and Judas. It was hard to tell – but God knew. See 2 Timothy 2:10.

Categories: Hebrews