Hebrews 5:1-10 Thursday Night Worship, October 18, 2018

Photo taken by WmRoy Karlen

Last Thursday night I preached over the verses found in the book of Hebrews 5:1-10.  These verses are in my opinion aimed at the reason as to why the book of Hebrews was written.  That is to establish Jesus as the true 'High Priest', the Priest that existed prior to any of the earthly Priests and one that goes all the way back to that semi-mysterious figure 'Melchizedek' that shows up twice in the Old Testament.

I believe this book (Hebrews) was written shortly after the final destruction of the Temple by the Romans in 70 AD.  These Christians that the Author is writing to are of Jewish descent and are shocked, confused, perhaps even panicked as what to do... the Temple is gone, the Priests can no longer sacrifice... what can we do...

Of course, this absence of a Temple had happened before and the Temple was rebuilt, but this time, the Author of Hebrews is, in no shortage of eloquence, telling us that there is no need for this Temple of Stone, nor is there a need for any Earthly High Priest.  We have the 'True Temple' and the 'True Priest', Jesus who is the Christ.

Praise be to God.

Be a blessing to someone today!

In His Glory,
Roy

Hebrews 5:1-10 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
5 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; 3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one 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,
    according to the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus[a] offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Footnotes:

a) Hebrews 5:7 Gk he