BETTER THINGS

Summer 2013

HEBREWS 5:5-10 – QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS “Christ”

He did not hold on to his heavenly state (Phil. 2:6-8) He came to earth, but did not campaign for the office

of high priest Psalm 2:7 Psalm 110:4

These passages affirm his sonship, his priesthood and his call from God

In Hebrews the connection of sonship/kingship/messiaship/priesthood is made

Hebrews also explains how Jesus could be high priest without being a descendant of Aaron

HEBREWS 5:5-10 – QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS 5:7-10—”Hymn of the high priest” In the “days of His flesh”

He had/has other days that are not “fleshly days”

He offered up “prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears” His prayer in Gethsemane

Was His prayer answered? Yes!

HEBREWS 5:5-10 – QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS

Two-fold petition in His prayer Physical deliverance Humble submission to the will of God

Perfection through suffering (2:10) Sonship didn’t spare Him from suffering Learning and suffering

emathen – he learned epathen – he suffered

“perfect through suffering” Perfectly (completely) qualified

HEBREWS 5:5-10 – QUALIFICATIONS OF JESUS

Christ was the one designated by God as “a high priest after the the order of Melchizedek” A new order of priesthood Necessitates the ending of the old order,

the Aaronic order

HEBREWS 5 – SOME PRACTICAL LESSONS

1. Christ supersedes all previous high priests, and He can deal gently with us.

He suffered. And through His suffering He was made perfect.

2. Not every prayer will be answered “Yes”.

3. God’s love is not always what one would expect. He loves us unconditionally. His love includes divine wisdom.

HEBREWS 5:11-6:20 – EXHORTATION: ON TO MATURE TEACHING

Five announcement themes in Hebrews Christ, Superior to the angels (1:4) Christ, a merciful and faithful high priest (2:17) Christ, a priest like Melchizedek (5:10) People of faith (10:39) Peaceful fruit of righteousness (12:11)

Distinctive features of the middle section Exhortation: on to mature teaching (5:11-6:20) Christ, like Melchizedek (7:1-28) Christ, the source of eternal salvation (8:-

10:18) Exhortation: a call to draw near (10:19-39)

HEBREWS 5:11-14 – SOLID FOOD

Three exhortations so far: Exhortation against drifting from God’s word

(2:1-4) Exhortation against disbelieving God’s word

(3:7-4:16) Exhortation against dullness toward God’s

word (5:11-6:20) The danger of their condition

Might lead them to apostasy (3:12) Irreversible consequences to apostasy (6:4-8)

Not likely a sudden departure, but a bit by bit slip into a state of spiritual apathy

HEBREWS 5:11-14 – SOLID FOOD

The original readers had been Christians for a long time and should be able to receive “advanced” instruction To think and act maturely Yet, they were like children and needed to

be taught the elementary principles all over again (milk)

Solid food is for grownups stereos is the Greek word for “solid” Mature Christians need “stereo food”

HEBREWS 5:11-14 – SOLID FOOD

Who are the mature? Those who have their powers of

discernment trained By constant practice Can distinguish good from evil

“practice” – gegymnasmena Milk has its value, but these Christians

need “stereo food”—a fuller, deeper, maturing vision of Christ, our high priest

HEBREWS 6:1-3 – PRESSING ON TO MATURITY

Two-fold exhortation Let us leave And go on

If they will understand the meaning of Christ’s priesthood and his sacrifice, this will be enough to keep them from apostasy They must decide: Is Aaron (and his

descendants) or Christ high priest? Who offers the real sacrifice for sins?

HEBREWS 6:1-3 – PRESSING ON TO MATURITY

Six basics that need no further emphasis Repentance from “dead works” Faith in God Washings (baptisms) Laying on of hands Resurrection of the dead Eternal judgment

HEBREWS 6:4-8 – A WARNING AGAINST APOSTASY

“Impossible” to bring some back to repentance Those “once enlightened”

Who have “tasted the heavenly gift” Have shared in the Holy Spirit Have “tasted the goodness of the word of God and

of the age to come” And have then “fallen away”

Why? They crucify again the Son of God They don’t just disbelieve Him, they denounce

and disgrace Him before the world

HEBREWS 6:4-8 – A WARNING AGAINST APOSTASY

Apostasy illustrated by two kinds of soil Well-watered and cultivated

Receives a blessing from God Worthless soil of “thorns and thistles”

Near to being cursed To be burned

Apostasy Not the same as “falling short”, but not

falling away It is to “deliberately” keep on sinning

“Wobbling” Christians need to face the peril of their situation

BETTER THINGS

Summer 2013