Hebrews 5:1-10
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. – Hebrews 5:8
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The Lord God commanded Moses in Exodus 28:1, “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests.” And we saw in the past week’s passages that Aaron and his sons were consecrated as high priest and priests accordingly, following to God’s command. They stood between God and humanity, atoning for the people before the Lord God.
Leviticus 8 elaborates on the ordination ceremony by which Aaron and his sons were consecrated priests. They had to spend seven days in the Tabernacle, undergoing a series of seemingly elaborate rituals to meticulously prepare and purify themselves before they could be used by the Lord and undertake the sacred office of atoning for the people.
The author of Hebrews states, “Every high priest selected from among the people is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1). This reminds us that the office of high priest is not open to everyone; rather, it is a result of God’s choosing and sending him to handle divine matters.
Since the priest is chosen from among the people, he cannot bypass human limitations and sinfulness. As described in Leviticus 10, Aaron’s two sons, soon after taking office, disobeyed God’s command by offering unauthorised fire before the Lord God, offending His holiness, and they died because of their transgression. Throughout the history of the Israelites, instances of priests sinning were repeated. Therefore, the prophets long ago foretold that a perfect High Priest would come for us.
400 years after the prophet Zechariah issued his prophecy, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, became incarnate and came into the world as a descendant of David. To save humanity, He willingly submitted to the cross, and the precious blood He shed cleansed the sins of all. He became the High Priest who atoned for humanity.
“No one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest” (Heb 5:4-5). Although Jesus Christ had the right to take glory for Himself, He, like human high priests, was chosen and appointed by God, out of a spirit of complete obedience.
However, Jesus’ method of preparing to assume the sacred office was precisely the opposite of Israel’s priests. Jesus did not first purify Himself and separate from the world before entering His sacred office; instead, He first left His holy and glorious throne in heaven and entered a world defiled by sin. Because of His obedience, He “became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5:8-10).
Salvation came into this world through Jesus Christ’s obedience. Although this grace is available for everyone, only those who accept Him by faith can receive it; those who reject Him will pay the price for their choice.
Reflection:
Today, the Lord Jesus calls us to be God’s children. Am I going to heed this calling and obey Him so that through my obedience others may also receive the blessing of salvation?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth for us. Because of your obedience, we have received the greatest of heavenly blessings. Help me obey your call, to love the neighbours you have placed around us, so that more people may receive salvation and come to obey you, too. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, Amen!
Click to read the passage
The Lord God commanded Moses in Exodus 28:1, “Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests.” And we saw in the past week’s passages that Aaron and his sons were consecrated as high priest and priests accordingly, following to God’s command. They stood between God and humanity, atoning for the people before the Lord God.
Leviticus 8 elaborates on the ordination ceremony by which Aaron and his sons were consecrated priests. They had to spend seven days in the Tabernacle, undergoing a series of seemingly elaborate rituals to meticulously prepare and purify themselves before they could be used by the Lord and undertake the sacred office of atoning for the people.
The author of Hebrews states, “Every high priest selected from among the people is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1). This reminds us that the office of high priest is not open to everyone; rather, it is a result of God’s choosing and sending him to handle divine matters.
Since the priest is chosen from among the people, he cannot bypass human limitations and sinfulness. As described in Leviticus 10, Aaron’s two sons, soon after taking office, disobeyed God’s command by offering unauthorised fire before the Lord God, offending His holiness, and they died because of their transgression. Throughout the history of the Israelites, instances of priests sinning were repeated. Therefore, the prophets long ago foretold that a perfect High Priest would come for us.
400 years after the prophet Zechariah issued his prophecy, God’s Son, Jesus Christ, became incarnate and came into the world as a descendant of David. To save humanity, He willingly submitted to the cross, and the precious blood He shed cleansed the sins of all. He became the High Priest who atoned for humanity.
“No one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest” (Heb 5:4-5). Although Jesus Christ had the right to take glory for Himself, He, like human high priests, was chosen and appointed by God, out of a spirit of complete obedience.
However, Jesus’ method of preparing to assume the sacred office was precisely the opposite of Israel’s priests. Jesus did not first purify Himself and separate from the world before entering His sacred office; instead, He first left His holy and glorious throne in heaven and entered a world defiled by sin. Because of His obedience, He “became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him” (Heb 5:8-10).
Salvation came into this world through Jesus Christ’s obedience. Although this grace is available for everyone, only those who accept Him by faith can receive it; those who reject Him will pay the price for their choice.
Reflection:
Today, the Lord Jesus calls us to be God’s children. Am I going to heed this calling and obey Him so that through my obedience others may also receive the blessing of salvation?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth for us. Because of your obedience, we have received the greatest of heavenly blessings. Help me obey your call, to love the neighbours you have placed around us, so that more people may receive salvation and come to obey you, too. In Jesus Christ’s name I pray, Amen!