Written by Paul J Bucknell on July, 19, 2023
Hebrews 5:1-10 Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest
“1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. 4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”; 6 just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:1-10)
In verse 9, it is stated that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, has achieved perfection. He fulfills the role of a Great High Priest and that of a Perfect High Priest. The quality of greatness makes us want to praise Him. Knowing that He is ideally suited (i.e., perfect) for the role of High Priest gives us a sense of great assurance for He truly cares for us. The four following explanations further support this.
The work - “Offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Heb 5:1)
Please remember that the author portrays Jesus as the Perfect High Priest before describing the sacrifices. In the Old Testament, the High Priest would make sacrifices and apply them to the mercy seat, which was the ark of the covenant. These acceptable sacrifices were made on behalf of the people.
It’s important to note that unacceptable sacrifices, such as pigs, were not offered and brought into the temple. It’s disheartening to see individuals offering inadequate or unacceptable sacrifices to God, thinking they will suffice. The high priest acknowledges that we are sinners and need a sacrifice made on our behalf. While sacrifices will be discussed later in Hebrews 9 and 10, we are currently humbled before the throne of grace, seeking mercy in Jesus. Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father.
The identification - “He can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided” (Heb 5:2,3,7)
As in Heb 4:15, the author highlights how much Jesus, as High Priest, though great and perfect in every way, still identified with lost, ignorant, and misguided sinners. Some of us battle with failures and fears. The evil one tempts us, causing us to doubt our salvation. But this is the point. As the ignorant and misguided, we need a Savior.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Mat 11:18-30)
Verse 7 draws this out in compelling language, probably representing His crying out in prayer the night He was betrayed. “In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety.”
This may refer to an earlier episode when the Jews plotted His death and the Lord delivered Him. But more to the point, it probably refers to Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins. But you say, does it not say the Lord heard His prayer to be delivered from death?
Yes, but this does not mean that Jesus did not die; He indeed died. They pierced Him, and all went dark, but Jesus rose from the dead. Even now, He is alive and forever represents us.
The call - “Receives it when he is called by God” (Heb 5:4-5)
The author legitimizes Jesus’ high priestly appointment, probably to help affirm to the doubters the importance of following Jesus.
“4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest.” (Hebrews 5:4-5)
Many of us do not fully understand what happened at Jesus’ baptism. God spoke and anointed Him with the full blessing of the Holy Spirit. At this point, God called and anointed Jesus to equip Him for service. Aaron received the anointing with special oil (Ex 29:21), that foreshadowed the greater anointing of the Holy Spirit. Let’s observe what happened at Jesus’ baptism.
“After being baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove and lighting on Him, 17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.’” (Mat 3:16-17)
Jesus’ calling and equipping into God’s service is confirmed by the voice from heaven and the anointing of the Spirit descending upon Him.
The priesthood - Gain an “eternal salvation” —As Son and priesthood (Heb 5:6,8-9)
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb 5:8-10)
By carefully following the author’s thoughts, we can confirm that Jesus was appointed to a new priesthood, even though He was not Aaron’s descendant. This will be discussed later in Hebrews 7. This is recorded in the Old Testament and affirms Jesus’ priesthood.
Jesus is God’s Son.
The Messianic Psalm calls the Messiah His Son. “I will surely tell of the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You.” (Ps 2:7) If Jesus is the Son, then He has access to intercede for His people before God.
Jesus is of the Melchizedek order.
Again, another Messianic Old Testament reference: “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Ps 110:4)
But this goes far beyond saying that Jesus would have a high priestly position like Aaron’s descendants. Verse 9 says, “source of eternal salvation” to indicate the calling as Son and Melchizedek’s priestly order are forever. The author will speak much more on Melchizedek, so we need not elaborate here.
Jesus is the “source of eternal salvation!” Where can we find a priest that compares to this? There is no other. Jesus is raised from the dead and represents His people. This makes our hope in Christ priceless!
Jesus is the perfect High Priest!
- Represents the needy (needs to be a human being)
- Identifies with the needy
- Offer sacrifices for the needy
- Called as the high priest
- Intimate with God as the Son
- Source of eternal salvation (5:9-10)
Summary
Regardless of the magnitude of transgressions, compromised faith, current pressures, or confusion, Jesus Christ flawlessly represents individuals before God through His sufferings, thereby becoming the ultimate source of eternal salvation. Jesus is both an exceptional and faultless high priest! He is our Great and Perfect High Priest, quite worthy of our following!
Study Questions on Jesus, Our High Priest, Hebrews 5:1-10
- List three differences between an Old Testament priest and a high priest. (Look it up if necessary.)
- Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10 and note where the great and perfect high priest is mentioned.
- This passage focuses on Jesus as the High Priest, not as the sacrifice. What chapters in Hebrews introduced Jesus as the priceless sacrifice?
- On a scale from 1-10, 10 being the greatest, how much do you sense your need for a Savior. Explain.
- Read Matthew 11:28-30 and share how this passage relates to Hebrews 5:1-10.
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