Better by Far - 5
The Excellency of Christ in the Book of Hebrews
The purpose of the book of Hebrews is to show the superiority of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith over Judaism. The writer seeks to encourage Hebrew believers not to return to the old Jewish rites but to stand firm and follow the Lord Jesus. We've seen already that Jesus is superior to the angels, to Moses, to Joshua, and He offers a far better rest than the Sabbath rest. Hebrews chapter five shows us that Jesus is superior to Aaron and the Aaronic priesthood. This section actually begins Chapter 4 Verse 14 and takes us through to Chapter 10 Verse 39. The great theme of these chapters is that we have in Jesus a better priest, a better sacrifice, and, a better covenant.
Jesus is described in verse 9 as, "the source of eternal salvation". He brought our salvation into being. To do this He needed to become a priest. The ministry of the priest was to deal with the problem of sin and its removal in the sight of a holy God. The Old Testament shows us the qualifications required for someone to enter the priesthood. Jesus met these requirements. Chapter 5 Verse 1 says, "Every priest is selected from among men". The priest had to be of the same nature as the people he represented before God. An angel could never be a priest because they're of a different created order. The Son of God became incarnate, John Chapter 1 Verse 14 says, "The word became flesh". Jesus took His place among the rank and file of humanity. The priest had to bring a sacrifice. We read in verse one that the priest, "is appointed to represent men in matters related to God to offer gifts and sacrifices for sin". Christ offered up Himself as the sacrifice for sin. We read in Ephesians Chapter 5 Verse 2, "Christ loved us and gave Himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God". The priest had to be able to exercise sympathy. Hebrews Chapter 5 Verse 2 Tells us, "He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray". The priest was human and experienced all the same temptations and weaknesses as his fellow man. Paul says in Philippians Chapter 2 Verse 8, concerning Jesus, "He made Himself nothing taking the very nature of a servant being found in human likeness". Like us He knew the attack of Satan. He felt the pressure of trial and temptation. Christ isn't out of touch with your needs. He knows how we feel. Go to Him in your difficulty and you will find real help in your time of need. The priest had to be called of God. Verse 4 says, "No one takes this honour upon himself, he must be called by God". God chose Aaron. We read in Exodus Chapter 28 Verse 1, "Have Aaron your brother brought to you - and his sons- so that they may serve Me as priests". God said of His Son Jesus in Matthew Chapter 3 Verse 17, "this is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased". God says to Jesus in Verse 6, "You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek". Christ is called and authorised by divine sanction to be the great high priest. The priest needed to be effective in intercession. Verse 7 tells us that Jesus, "offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears". Jesus interceded for you. In John Chapter 17 Verse 20, "I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one". He intercedes for you now in heaven. Chapter 7 Verse 25 says, "He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them".
There's much in common between Aaron as priest and Jesus as priest. There are some differences too. We can also see the superiority of Christ over Aaron. Jesus is a sinless priest. Verse 3 tells us that Aaron, "has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as the sins of the people". Peter says this about Jesus in 1 Peter Chapter 2 Verse 22, "He committed no sin and no deceit was found in His mouth". Jesus was a senior priest. Hebrews Chapter 5 Verse 10 says, "And was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek". This priesthood came before the priesthood of Aaron. Aaron and the tribe of Levi descended from Abraham. Abraham offered tithes and offerings to Melchizedek. (Aaron and Levi offered them up in Abraham their ancestor) In doing that they actually offered them to Christ. He who receives the offering is greater that the person who offers it.
Verses 11 - 14 contain some challenging exhortations. The writer breaks from teaching doctrine to apply what he's taught so far. He challenges the Hebrew believers to go on to greater maturity in their understanding of the glory of Christ's person and work. We need a mature grasp of these marvellous spiritual truths. We'll never advance in the things of God unless we have a proper understanding of who Christ is and what He's achieved for us. We're not unlike the way Paul describes the Hebrews. He says in Verse 11. "you are slow to learn". And in Verse 13, "still and infant" What steps can we take to move from infancy to maturity as believers? We need to increase our knowledge by a disciplined study of the word of God. We need to be men and women of the Bible. When Paul says we are 'slow' he uses a Greek word that means 'lazy', an unwillingness to stir oneself, 'inertia'. The Hebrew believers hadn't spent time studying the Old Testament and how it is fulfilled in Christ. Due to a lack of biblical knowledge they had missed the wonder of what is there for them in this great salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 12 says, "by this time you ought to be teachers". It's likely some of the Hebrew believers were converted some thirty years ago on the day of Pentecost. Yet says Verse 12, "you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again". It's possible to be well advanced in years as far as dating your conversion is concerned but to remain an infant in the things of God. It's possible to be a fairly new Christian yet to be rich in knowledge and experience in spiritual things. Mature in Christ. What makes the difference? How well you hear. How regularly and consistently you study scripture. Verse 14 says, "solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil". This will move you from being a spoon fed Christian to being a useful Christian. You will advance from infancy and milk to maturity and meat. You will be able to discern truth. You will be better acquainted with the teaching of the Bible on righteousness. The righteousness of God founded upon the priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Be encouraged wherever you are. You have a great high priest eternal in the heavens. He died for you as the Lamb of God. He rose from the dead for you, to be your strength and support. He intercedes in heaven for you today. Be sure to get a mature understanding of all He is and all He wants to do for you. Study God's word constantly so that you are able to teach others the great things you have found in it.