Christ is Superior to the Old Priesthood

Hebrews 4.14,15

Hebrews 5.1-3, 5-10

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BASIC BIBLICAL TEXT

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

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Hebrews 4.16

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GOLDEN TEXT

Define the differences between Jesus and the old covenant priests;

Recognize that the priesthood of Christ is superior to that of Aaron;

Identify Jesus as a priest after the order of Melchizedek.

OBJECTIVES

Some Jews, it is known, had begun to feel a little uneasy about abandoning the old priestly system to which they were already accustomed. So the writer of Hebrews sought to reassure them by explaining the work of Christ.

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Starting from the knowledge that the Jews had of the priesthood in the Old Testament, the writer states that they did not need to go back to the old ways, since Jesus is the only true high priest of our confession.

INTRODUCTION

THE HIGH PRIEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1 - THE HIGH PRIEST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

Basic traits of the priest

Primary Functions of the Priest

1.1 - Basic traits of the priest

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• Taken from among men. In the old covenant, the high priest was an ordinary person, with virtues and defects, despite being set apart by God.
• Constituted in favor of men. The priestly investiture was given by direct appointment of God; there was no participation or intervention by other priests or the people in general.
• In things concerning God. The high priest spoke and acted in the name of God as far as his express will was concerned. On the other hand, he also listened to men and interceded for them before the Most High.

1.2 - Primary Functions of the Priest

• Offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. As in the old covenant people could not address God directly, they presented their blood (animal) offerings and their grain gifts to the high priest. In the New Testament, Jesus is our high priest: He is both the offerer and the vicarious offering, for he offered himself to God (1 Tim. 2:6) for the remission of our sins.
• Sympathize tenderly. The high priest should have sympathy, that is, the ability to share the joys and sorrows of the people who came to him; and, simultaneously, having empathy, that is, the ability to put oneself in the other's shoes.

A PRIEST HIGHER THAN AARON

2 - A PRIEST HIGHER THAN AARON

Jesus, the perfect priest

Jesus, superior to the priesthood of Aaron

Today's Priests

2.1 - Jesus, the perfect priest

While the Old Testament high priest was subject to sin, Jesus met all the conditions for the perfect priesthood: He never sinned, that is, he is spotless and perfect, thus not needing to offer sacrifice for himself; rather, Christ gave himself for our sins (Gal. 1:4).

2.1.1 - The Perfection of Christ

The expression "having been made perfect" is not to be understood as implying that there was a time when Christ was not perfect. In the course of His earthly life, Jesus' perfection was put to the test. That perfection remained unblemished through all that He suffered. The Son of God was perfected not in the ethical sense of perfection, without error or frailty, but in the teleological sense, of completing what he was purposed for.

2.2 – Jesus, superior to the priesthood of Aaron

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The writer of Hebrews referred to two texts from the book of Psalms to demonstrate the special character of the priesthood of Christ, which makes it superior to the priesthood of Aaron:

• You are my Son; I have begotten you today (Hebrews 5:5);
• Thou art an everlasting priest, after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6)

By saying that Christ was finished (perfected) (Heb. 5:9), the writer points to the consummation of His saving work. To be consummated (or perfected) means to bring to a legitimate or appointed end. By suffering death on the cross, the perfect Son of God became our perfect savior, opening the way to God.

2.3 – Today's Priests

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews brings to light the full dimension of the universal priesthood of Christians (Heb 4.14-16).

• we need no clerics or other mediators between us and God, but our Lord Jesus only;
• it is no longer necessary to stand outside the tabernacle or tent of meeting;
• it is not necessary to ask anything of any priest;
• there is no need to fear crossing the veil that separates the Holy of Holies from the Most Holy Place.

OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

3 - OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST

Jesus, the compassionate priest

Jesus was tempted in everything

3.1 - Jesus, the compassionate priest

The writer to the Hebrews confidently affirms that Jesus is a merciful and faithful high priest (Heb 2:17):

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• in His earthly ministry, He always showed concern for the suffering multitudes (Mt 9.36; 14.14);
• in His priestly mission, He shows great compassion for all of us (Psalm 103:8).

The channels through which temptation can reach the human soul are: the carnal appetites (1 Jn 2.16); imagination, which leads to presumption (Gn 3.4-6); and personal ambition (Jos 7.20,21). Jesus was sensitive to all these channels; therefore the sacred writer says that he was tempted in every way; yet He committed no sin (Matt. 4:15b).

3.2 - Jesus was tempted in everything

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The expression "In the days of his flesh" (Heb. 5:7) is a direct reference to the human life of Jesus. Even though he was the supreme high priest, He took the form of a man (Jo 1.14; Fp 2.7,8). Christ was fully divine and human; however, he did not possess a sinful nature.

3.2.1 – Thoughts on the temptaionf of Jesus

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Even possessing the divine nature, Jesus, as a man, was tempted in everything, yet without sin (Hb 4.15). Having tasted temptation, Jesus is compassionate and powerful to help humanity.

If we have Jesus as our supreme high priest, we can, by faith, enter the throne of grace, His holy presence at any time, and be helped in time of need (Heb 4.16).

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Let us hold firm our trust in Christ Jesus, for He is our faithful intercessor before God.

CONCLUSION

GOD BLESS YOU!

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