The Christology of Hebrews Chapter 4:14-5:10: The Perfect High Priest

From the diary of a scribbler, so far we now know about the Supremacy of Jesus, His magnificent Humanity and why it is essential to consider Him in order to enter God’s rest. In chapter 2:5-18 and 4:14-5:11, the author brings our focus on Jesus our superior High Priest.

What makes Jesus a superior and perfect High Priest?

1. He was sinless. Whereas the high priests before him were required to offer a sacrifice first for their own sins before offering for the people, Jesus didn’t have to offer any sin offering for Himself. “…because Christ suffered for you, …He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth,” (1 Peter 2:21-22).
2. Jesus’ self-sacrifice was far better than animal without blemish. “It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins,” (Heb. 10:4). When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanses our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! (Heb. 9:11-14).

What does that mean for me and you?

Israel’s high priest represented the people to God. He alone was permitted to approach a holy God and offer sacrifices on the people’s behalf. Now that Jesus we know that Jesus is superior to the OT high priests and any other priest that the world has ever known what this means to you and I is that we can respond to the invitation stated in (Heb. 4:14-16):

1. We can hold firmly to the faith we profess, v.14.
2. We can be confident that our superior high priest is able to empathize with our weaknesses, because He was tempted in every way, just as we are yet He did not sin, v.15.
3. We have unlimited access to the Holy of Holies, v.16. We can confidently approach our Father’s throne of grace and obtain mercy and grace in our time of need. Wow! What an amazing High Priest who provides help-mercy and grace in our time of need!

Principles of priesthood under Mosaic Law, (5:1-3)

For a high priest to be qualified:

1. Every high priest is selected from among men and, v.1.

1. He is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins, v.2. 
2. It was necessary for the high priest to be able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness, v.3. 
3. A high priest had to be appointed by God, v.4.

Jesus qualified A Priest Forever in the Order of Melchizedek (5:4-6)

Now, going back to (Exodus 28:1; Leviticus 8-10), we know priests came exclusively from the tribe of Levi, however, Jesus’ descent is from Judah. So, how was Jesus qualified a priest? In (5:5-10), shows how Jesus fulfils and exceeds the above principles of priesthood under Mosaic Law:

1. He became human as seen in chapter 2;
2. He was designated by God as a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek, (5:10); He not only represented the people to God but He also became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (5:9-10);
3. Christ qualified a high priest through what He suffered, v.8.  Note that learning obedience and being made perfect does not imply He was disobedient and imperfect in His deity but He humbled Himself by temporarily setting aside His rights to take on the form of a man. Through the ordeals of life Jesus’ humanity was made perfect through suffering. Even though he was the Son of God, it was necessary for Jesus as a human being to learn obedience not because he was disobedient
4. Once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, v. 9.

4.  He identified with the people He represented, (Heb 4:15; 5:11). He was tempted in every way, just as we are yet He did not sin, v.15. because He understands the challenges man goes through, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission.” Even today He still intercedes for us, (Rom 8:27, 34; Heb. 7:25; 1 John 2:1).

Yours faithfully,

NzakuNashipae