Study Notes on Epistle to Hebrews - 5. High priest hood of Lord Jesus Christ

Part 5: High-priesthood of Lord Jesus Christ

(Hebrews 4: 14 to 5:10 And 6:19 to 8: 13)

·        High priest - a mediator between men and God

·        In tabernacle /temple service - priests work daily sacrifices and other ceremonial things 

·        But the high priest has one specific work to do. Once in a year, he takes blood and goes into the most holy places and intercedes for the sins of his people. 

·        This makes him a mediator between sinful men and Holy God to get forgiveness of sins of men. (Not going deep here) 

·        Jesus came as the mediator between men and God. 1 Tim 2:5.

·        This way He was doing the job of the high priest. 

·        Book of Hebrews says that Lord Jesus is the true high priest who works in the true tabernacle not made by human hands (i.e,made by God). Human high priests were just shadows/images. 

 

Let us see what Hebrews has to say about Lord Jesus as high priest. 

 

Hebrews 5:1

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.

1. Appointment                     2. Act on behalf of men (to offer gifts and sacrifices)

 

          Let us see the eligibility criteria of Lord Jesus as high priest. 

 

1. Appointment 

Hebrews 8:1 we have such a high priest

Hebrews 7:26 we should have such a high priest

 

What kind of high priest the Lord Jesus is. 

 

i) Appointed by God   Hebrews 5:4,5

Sent by God to be a mediator between God and men

 

Appointing authority 

·        Central government employees in India get appointment letters by the order of the President of India. 

·        This shows authority and power behind their appointment and work. 

·        In the same way, along with appointment, God the Father also gave several authorities to Lord Jesus as high priest which earthly priests did not possess. 

o   Authority to forgive sins (Mt 9:6, Mk 2:10, Lk 5:24)

o   Authority to lay down and take back life (Jn 10:18), i.e., to pay the price of our redemption.

 

ii) Lord Jesus is high priest in the order of Melchizedek, but not in the order of Aaron . Hebrews 5:6

 

Two orders of priests in the Bible. Order of Aaron & order of Melchizedek. 

 

·        In the order of Aaron, high priests were physical descents of Aaron. 

·        But Melchizedek has no bloodline recorded in the Bible. No father, no mother, no son, or grandson. His birth and death are not recorded.  Hebrews 7:3

 

In that way, Melchizedek represents (is the picture of) the son of God (equal to God) 

And also is high priest (mediator between God and men) 

 

Hebrews 7:16 Jesus became high priest by the power of indestructible life

Power is in his life. 

·        Melchizedek was both king and priest. This was not possible in levitical priesthood. 

·        So, Jesus is also both king and priest. He is our Lord as well as mediator.  

 

iii) Melchizedek is superior to Abraham

This means, the priesthood of Lord Jesus is superior to that of Aaron (who is descendent of Abraham). 

 

Hebrews 7:1

Melchizedek...met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,

 

Hebrews 7:8

It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.

 

·        Abraham is returning from the slaughter of the Kings. He is already rich. He's already blessed physically. 

·        Children?

Hebrews 7:6 (Melchizedek) blessed him who had the promises.

Abraham already has the promise of God about children.

·        However, Melchizedek has met him and blessed him. 

 

                    What are these blessings?

 

·        This shows that Melchizedek's blessings are high above physical things. they are spiritual blessings

·        The blessings the Lord Jesus brought as high priest are above physical blessings, they are spiritual blessings. Eph 1:3

 

 

Melchizedek is superior to Abraham (your father) or Levitical priesthood. 

This means, spiritual blessings are superior to physical blessings. 

 

iv) He (Melchizedek) is … king of righteousness, ... peace. Hebrews 7:2

In a court scene: when there is no peace between two parties, they come to the law. The law gives judgment or enforces the righteousness. 

 

In the general human scenario, righteousness and peace are separated, against each other. 

 

Melchizedek is a picture of a person in whom both righteousness and peace are united together. 

 

Ps 85:10 Mercy & truth kissed each other. A prophecy, a man’s deep desire. 

 

This resembles the nature of Lord Jesus, who was full of grace and truth. John 1:14

It is in the Lord Jesus, the true high priest, the Mercy & truth, truth & grace, Righteousness & Peace met. 

 

He fulfilled the righteousness of God, took the judgment of God upon himself. Granted us the grace, mercy, and peace.