Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury (d. 1228) divided the Bible into the chapters we use today, a great convenience for study, but not every choice he made stands up equally well. We will take less than a full chapter this week because 5:10 marks a great dividing line in the text or the talk that is Hebrews.
Chapter 5
1 Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness 3 and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 4 No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him:
“You are my son;
this day I have begotten you”;
6 just as he says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered 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 reverence. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered; 9 and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10 declared by God high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Questions:
- In chapter 4 the preacher argued that Jesus, in his strength, could understand to the fullest the force of temptations and tests we face. Now he says the Jewish high priest understood people’s needs and sufferings because he himself is weak and suffers. Ponder this: in what way is Jesus’ high priesthood superior then?
- Check Genesis 14:18-20. That is the only place besides Psalm 110 in the Old Testament that Melchizedek is mentioned. Every detail about him is important to keep in mind.
A.) What is he?
B.) Where is he located?
C.) What does he offer?
D.) Whom does he bless?
- In verse 7, how can Hebrews say Jesus’ prayer was heard?
- “Son though he was, he learned obedience…” How can a Divine Son “learn”? Doesn’t he automatically know? How could he be “made perfect”? Isn’t he automatically perfect?
Schedule note: There will be a wrap-up post next Monday, the 21st as usual. Six Christmas travelers will join us, so the next new posting after that is planned for Tuesday, January 5, 2021.
Christ ascended to heaven after his sacrifice, unlike earthly priests, and therefore was a superior priest of heaven.
Melchizedek. I’ve wondered about him, and now I know a little bit about him! This is an interesting article by Tim Gray: https://stpaulcenter.com/in-the-order-of-melchizedek/
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Enjoy time with your family.