Sept 28^th 2003

Sunday Night

The Book of Hebrews

Subject: " The Great High Priest # 2

Text: Hebrews 5:1-10

Intro: Last week we looked at the Lord Jesus Christ in his role of a High Priest...we seen that he is a great high priest. We also seen where he was gone through the heavens into the presence of God. We seen that our high priest was only similar to those in the old testament. We also discussed the practical part of this... there are two reason why we need a high priest in heaven for us... 1. To obtain mercy 2. To obtain help in the time of need.

Tonight we continue with what the bible says about our Lord Jesus Christ as a great high priest. In this chapter we will look at both the old testament priest and the new priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ...

HIGH PRIEST Priest in charge of the Temple (or tabernacle) worship. Responsibilities and Privileges The high priesthood was a hereditary office based on descent from Aaron (Ex. 29:29-30; Lev. 16:32). Normally, the high priest served for life (Num. 18:7; 25:11-13; 35:25,28; Neh. 12:10-11), though as early as Solomon's reign a high priest was dismissed for political reasons (1 Kings 2:27). A special degree of holiness was required of the high priest (Lev. 10:6,9; 21:10-15). This meant he had to avoid defilement by contact with the dead, even in the case of his own parents and was forbidden to show any outward sign of mourning. He could not leave the sanctuary precincts. Such legislation identified the high priest as one totally dedicated to the Lord, always ritually pure and ready to serve the Lord. If the high priest sinned, he brought guilt upon the whole people (Lev. 4:3). The sin offering for the high priest (Lev. 4:3-12) was identical to that required "if the whole congregation of Israel commits a sin" (4:13-21). The consecretation of the high priest was an elaborate seven-day ritual involving special baths, putting on special garments, and anointing with oil and with blood (Ex. 29:1-37; Lev. 6:19-22; 8:5-35). The special garments of the high priest included (1) a blue robe with an ornate hem decorated with gold bells and embroidered pomegranates, (2) an ephod of fine linen

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with colorful embroidered work and shoulder straps bearing stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes, (3) a breastplate with twelve precious stones engraved with the names of the twelve tribes, and (4) a linen turban with a gold plate inscribed "Holy to Yahweh" (Ex. 28:4-39; 39:1-31; Lev. 8:7-9). The engraved plate and the stones engraved with the tribal names highlight the role of the high priest as the holy representative of all Israel before the Lord (Ex. 28:12,29). In his "breastplate of judgment," the high priest kept the sacred lots, the Urim and Thummim, which were used to inquire of the Lord (Ex. 28:29-30; Num. 27:21). In our text

1^ST. He must be able to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins...vs 1

This office was ordained by God till the Lord Jesus Christ came then it was done away with. The particular of this office was very rigid and uncompromised because he was a type of the Lord Jesus Christ...

2^nd. He was to have compassion on the people he represented.. vs 2

It is clear in the text as to why it was necessary for him to be compassionate because he likewise was a man of infirmity... What of compassion.

a. The Lord is the example of compassion: Psalm 86:15 But thou, O Lord, [art] a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

b. The Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated his compassion: Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.

c. It is our duty: 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous:

d. It leaves a question as to realness of a persons profession if they show not compassion...1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels [of compassion] from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

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E. Compassion demonstrated makes a difference...Jude 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:

3^rd. He must have an offering for himself and the people: vs 3

The High priest was the only one if he was qualified to go into the holy of the holiest. He must purge his own sins and then the peoples are he would die on the spot..

4^th. He could take this honor to himself...vs 4

As we read in the history of their existence it was handed down from one family of priest to another. This was the calling of the Lord upon the priestly tribe...

1^ST. That Christ was made an high priest...vs 5

Christ made this very clear in his ministry: John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. He likewise acknowledges who it is that made him a priest a servant of men: John 5:36-37 But I have greater witness than [that] of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.

Note the claim of the Father in this text: "thou art my son" how many times does the bible say that Christ is the son of God and that God is his Father. One time in the Old Testament: Daniel 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. And 46 times in the New Testament.. Five times in the NT the Father declares this is my beloved son... hear ye him.

The term "begotten" means to bring forth.. and the father brought forth his son from the grave...the resurrection. What a day that was for the children of God scattered abroad..

2^nd. His priesthood is forever: vs 6

I really like what Barnes says about this verse: 6. As he saith in another place, or, elsewhere, etc. Here is expressed more clearly what the Apostle intended. This is a remarkable passage, and indeed the whole Psalm from which it is taken; for there is scarcely anywhere a clearer prophecy respecting Christ’s eternal priesthood and his kingdom. And yet the Jews try all means to evade it, in order that they might obscure the glory of Christ; but they cannot succeed. They apply it to David, as though he was the person whom God bade to sit on his right hand; but this is an instance of extreme effrontery; for we know that it was not lawful for kings to exercise the priesthood. On this account, Uzziah, that is, for the sole crime of intermeddling with an office that did not belong to him, so provoked God that he was smitten with leprosy. (#2Ch 26:18). It is therefore certain that neither David nor any one of the kings is intended here.

Since he is our high priest and we are his priest then it stands to reason that we too have an eternal relationship with Christ in his priesthood. Does this mean that in heaven we will need him as a Priest most defiantly, there will never be a time we don’t need him.

3^rd. Note with me some things in these next verses: vs 7-10

(1.) The intense praying of Christ... vs 7

I believe this is a reference to his prayer in the garden of gethsemine let us view it again...

Matt 26: 39, vs 42, vs 44 What a prayer of agonizing with his father over this appointed event...

(2.) That his suffering taught him obedience.. vs 8

This speaks of his suffering as a man and that he learned yes even though he was God in the flesh he still grew, got hungry, slept, cried, had joy, and was tempted in all points such we are yet without sin..

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(3.) That he was made complete.. vs 9

That is he finished the course that was set before him... and as the result of his death he became the author of eternal salvation...

a. Salvation is eternal because God is eternal:

b. Salvation is eternal because Christ likewise is eternal:

c. Salvation is eternal because it is called eternal life:

d. Salvation is eternal because it could be nothing less...

Note to them that obey him: Note it was prophesied.. Daniel 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Can you obey him tonight? If you can then do it...

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