Hebrews Chapter 5
In the Old Testament a priest was chosen by God to be the man who would be an instrument for the people to offer sacrifices for the atonement of their sins. This sacrificial system meant that mankind did not have direct access to God, instead they needed to go through the priest to ask forgiveness of their sins.
Let's Reflect
1. What did the priest need to do first himself?
2. Just as the priests were called by God to assume this position of priesthood, God also called Jesus to be the high priest. What name, a family type name, does God call Jesus in verse 5?
This term “begotten” refers to Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. At that time, He fully assumed the role of our High Priest, He was the perfect High Priest. Hebrews 5:9 Jesus’ resurrection teaches us that He was not a priest like Aaron, who had to first offer sacrifices for His own sins. Jesus did not sin, not even once. The resurrection vindicated Jesus as the perfect sacrifice who bore the wrath sinners deserved without being a sinner Himself. See Acts 2:24.
The title of a priest after the order of Melchizedek we will study more as we read chapter 7.
3. What does verse 7 tell us that Jesus did on our behalf?
4. In verses 11-14 the author warns against apostacy or false doctrine. It is so important that we understand the doctrinal truths of scripture that we might be able to stand against teachings that would take us from the truths of God’s Word. We also see that once we understand the doctrinal truths, we should become what of those truths? (verse 12)
5. In verse 14 he talks about having such an understanding of the Word of God that we can have discernment, the ability to tell wrong from right. How do we gain this ability to have discernment?
