Tag: Hebrews 5:5-10
The Suffering Son and Salvation
Scripture reading for October 20: Hebrew 5
“So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; as He says also in another place, “You are a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. And being made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, being designated by God a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-10
God appointed His Son, Jesus Christ as the High Priest through divine declaration. Normally the high priest in Israel would have to come from the line of Aaron, who was a Levite. Jesus was to be a high priest from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a mysterious Old Testament priest of Salem (Jerusalem) who met Abraham with a meal and a blessing. Melchizedek had not received his priesthood from any relative nor does he pass his priesthood on to a relative. He is the lone priest of this line with no record of his beginning or ending. Like Melchizedek, Jesus Christ is from everlasting to everlasting. He is a unique Priest appointed by God, His Father to an eternal priesthood.
Jesus knew suffering and in His suffering, He called out to God in humble obedience. The writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus, our High Priest learned obedience by His suffering. This suffering was planned by the Father and Son and obediently carried out. Jesus was made perfect through suffering. He did not sin or rebel against the Word of His Father. Death could not hold Him because He had no sin. He was raised from death to intercede for all who would believe. All who now trust and obey Him find that He is the source of eternal salvation. Jesus is the final High Priest needed because He lives forever to intercede for those who depend on Him.
Have you ever thought that if you could have a pain-free life, you would be happy? Does it shock you to find out that Jesus Christ cried out to His Father with tears and anguish for salvation from death? How did this suffering equip Jesus to fulfil His greatest desire to see lost sinners saved from eternal death?
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled to know of the suffering of Jesus Christ, Your Son, on my behalf. It is amazing that suffering in Your Will can produce obedience leading to exaltation. Thank You for a High Priest Who lives forever and hears my crying and tears and understands my temptations. Amen.
Son of David–Lord of David!
Scripture reading for June 24: Psalms 107-110
Psalm 110 was used by Jesus Christ to confound his adversaries. Jesus was being tested by the teachers of the law. To counter their arguments, Jesus quoted Psalm 110:1 and attributed it to King David speaking under the power of the Holy Spirit. “The Lord said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.” (Psalm 110:1) “David himself calls Him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be His son?” (Mark 12:36-37a) Jesus’ question was designed to help these teachers connect with the plain teaching of God’s Word that the messiah would be a son of David as well as his Lord! (2nd Samuel 7:12, 13, 16)
The psalm is a prophetic picture of the messiah who would come from the line of David. This messiah would sit at God’s right hand and rule until the Lord God put all His enemies under His feet. The messiah would be made or declared a priest as well as a ruling king! A priest represents the people before God by intercession and sacrifice. The king was to rule on behalf of God. These offices were not combined in the Old Testament history of God’s people. There was one person in history who was both a priest and a king. His name was Melchizedek. (Genesis 14:18-20) (Hebrews 5:5-10, 6:19-7:28) Melchizedek was the King of Salem (Peace) and a priest of the Most High God. He received tithes from Abraham and blessed Abraham. This descendant of David Who was to come would be a priest and king like Melchizedek!
Priests normally did not sit down while at work. This King/Priest Who was seated at God’s right hand was invited to sit! He could sit because His work of sacrifice on behalf of the people was completed! (Acts 5:31) (Ephesians 1:20) David was seeing a vision of the throne in heaven following the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Who offered His own sinless body as the payment for the sins of the whole world! John the Baptist remarked of Jesus: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Jesus now is interceding as our Priest before God, seated at His right hand! (Romans 8:34)
This King/Priest is ruling in the midst of His enemies now, waiting for them to bow their knees! (Psalm 110:2,3) There is a coming day of wrath where all enemies who have not become one of his troops by bowing their knees will suffer a crushing defeat! (Psalm 110:5-6) Have you bowed your knee to Him? Are you sharing the Good News of a King/Priest Who is praying for all to be saved?