The Bestest Priest

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him 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,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5)

God had his servant write this message to the Hebrews, who knew priests well - not only through the long line of priests since the days of Moses, but all the way back to Melchizedek, who was a unique kind of priest. He kind of showed up from out of nowhere, not having a long lasting "post" as priest, but He was a priest to Abram, the father of faith, at a critical point in his journey. This priest became in a sense, a special standard by which all priests in biblical history are measured.  He is the one who the Psalmist compared the Messiah too: unique, a King and a Priest, Who would only "serve" for a short time on earth, yet have an ongoing and great impact.  This Priest would not only understand man, being one of us, but also understand God better than any other, for He is God's Son. As Priest, Christ represents us before God. While on earth, He did so through long, agonizing sessions along with God, as well as praying with His disciples and for many in need. Now He talks with the Father on our behalf, sitting at His right hand. He is the bestest Priest ever - in history and in eternity. 

A Confident Confession Calls Out...

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4)
What do we really believe about Christ? If we believe He is the Son of God, Who came down here to live life as we do, Who understands completely our struggle with sin, and Who has gone back to the Father's right side to intercede for us, what is our sensible response?  To draw near, call out and trust, and confess that we need His mercy and grace for every day and situation in life.  The only question then is... Will we do it? 

You know what I'm talkin about!

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

“Today, if you hear his voice,
8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
    on the day of testing in the wilderness,
9 where your fathers put me to the test
    and saw my works for forty years.
10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation,
and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
    they have not known my ways.’
11 As I swore in my wrath,
    ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. 15 As it is said,

“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

The recipients of this letter knew exactly what the writer was talking about.  He was writing to Hebrews whose History is recorded in Numbers and the surrounding books.  They had hard hearts and rebelled against God, specifically breaking His commands, not believing it really mattered. But it did!  God made it clear to that generation. Don't be the generation that hears God's word, but chooses to ignore it. There are consequences. You know what I'm talking about...

More than a Faithful Servant...

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, 2 who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. 3 For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. 4 (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) 5 Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, 6 but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. (Hebrews 3)
Moses was a great guy - a really great guy.  He moved a whole nation - literally.  But Christ is greater.  His "nation", His house is God's people. Moses was faithful to serve; Christ was faithful to both serve and build. Moses spoke for God; Christ both spoke and acted as priest.  Just as with the angels, we are wowed by all Moses did, but just like them, he pales in comparison to Christ. But so does everyone, no matter how "great" we think they are, no matter how great we think we are.  Our confidence, and boasting, belong to Christ, and Him alone. 

Why the Incarnation?

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
    in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again,

“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2)

Why did Christ have to come, in the flesh, live this earthly life, then die for our sins? Here we have a few reasons. First, so He could fully understand our plight, as those living  with sin around us, knocking at our door every day. Secondly, so He could be the appropriate Substitute, who could make propitiation (payment) for our sins. Thirdly, and maybe something we can more fully comprehend and appreciate, so He could help us, so we would know He understands and knows what He is talking about, when He is telling us know when temptation comes our way.  He was "tempted in all ways like we are", as we will find out later. His help is practical, experienced, thoughtful, and trustworthy. He came to help us. 

Tasting Death, Toasting Victory

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
    or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
    you have crowned him with glory and honor,
8     putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2)

Christ, the Eternal Son, came to earth, making Himself "lower than the angels", like us, so He could "taste death" in our place. What a mouthful that is.  But by doing so, He also was doing something far more significant and broad-reaching - He was establishing His eternal Kingdom over all.  The preacher here helps us see that looking just at the cross is good for a time, but we must step back - way back, to see the bigger picture, both universally and chronologically - to see the full impact of that event. When we do, we can see Jesus not with the crown of thorns, but crowned with glory and honor because of the victory He has won. 

The Greatest Neglect

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. 2 For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. (Hebrews 2)
We live in an age of neglect: people neglect their health; they neglect heeding the traffic laws, they neglect their children; they neglect their responsibilities; they neglect relationships.  Many choose to neglect Christ and the great salvation He offers.  God's Good News has been heralded by so many so many times in so many ways, yet it goes unanswered.  Pay closer attention. Listen. Really listen. Look to Jesus. See and hear what God is saying: "I want you that much.  You need Me that much. Please stop neglecting our relationship."