In Hebrews 5 we are given a description of a priest. Under the Old Testament, the priests came from the line of Aaron and met the following criteria:
1. They were human.
2 They were chosen by God.
3. They represented the people to God.
“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.” (v1)
The OT priests were not perfect and therefore they also had to offer sacrifices to God for their own sins. Because they were sinners, they were expected to have compassion and empathy for other sinners. We also, as sinners should have compassion and extend love to other sinners.
“He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.” (v2-3)
God designates who will be a priest, a mediator on behalf of man. God appointed Aaron and God appointed Christ. But notice that Jesus did not come from the line of Aaron, but instead was referred to as being of the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is a priest mentioned in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110. Chapters 6 and 7 will give us more particulars about why Melchizedek's priesthood was superior to Aaron's. The important focus of this chapter is that the priesthood of Jesus was an eternal one. Jesus, unlike the OT priests was not a sinner in need of offering sacrifices. Instead, he offered himself, perfect and unblemished as the eternally accepted sacrifice to atone for all sin. No longer would the priesthood of Aaron be needed. Jesus became the perfect representation of man to God once and for all.
“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” (v 9-10)
The author closes this chapter expressing frustration because he does not see the Hebrew people growing in their spiritual understanding. In kindergarten you learn your ABCs and then in 1st or 2nd grade you use the letter sounds to understand simple words like "cat" and " ball". You then progress to making sentences, then paragraphs, then essays, term papers, etc. God wants us to study His Word and to gain over time a more mature understanding of spiritual principles. He doesn't want us to stay spiritual babies. In fact, He wants us all to eventually be able to teach the knowledge He gives us to others.
“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” (12-14)
May I encourage you to keep studying God's Word with us so that you can grow alongside of us and we can learn from each other. Next year we will be going on a journey through the whole Bible in a year. We want to reach as many women as possible who are seeking to learn about God and grow more spiritually mature. Help us get the word out and pray for this ministry to be used for God's glory and purposes.