Jesus Christ is the Source of our Eternal Salvation
Hebrews 5:1-10 (Pastor Heo)
5:1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.” 6 And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is our Great High Priest, superior to any human High Priest. Last week, we saw the differences between them.
Human: Earth, is continually changed (replaced), offered sacrifices for their own sins + others, entered Most Holy Place once / year, did not die for others, could not intercede for others in heaven, no right / power to forgive – they could do nothing to remove sins
Jesus: Heaven, eternal High Priest, no need to offer sacrifice for his own sins, went to heaven once for all, died for all human beings, intercedes for us now in heaven, has power / privilege / right to save and remove sins (1 John 2:2 “Jesus Christ is the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins.”)
5:1-10 – These 10 verses show the commonalities and differences of the qualifications and functions between a human High Priest and Great High Priest
- v 1-4 = Human High Priest
- v 5-10 = Story of Jesus
v. 1-4
“1 Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. “
There are 3 S’s – the qualifications for a human High Priest:
1. Solidarity
v. 1 “Every high priest is selected from among men and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”
Solidarity = oneness with humanity – fundamental for the priestly ministry – no deceased soul, no angel could satisfy this – it must be a living human being. The High Priest was a representative of the people to God (making atoning sacrifice for sins)- and God to the people (teaching His word).
In that day, only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place with the blood of the slain animal to atone for the sins of the community.
High Priest = must be human
Only a man can represent other men. (Solidarity)
2. Sympathy
(Compassion)
v. 2 “He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray [KJV: He can have compassion / sympathy on those who are going astray…], since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. “
The High Priest is only a man, only a human being, subject to the same weaknesses and faults, and mortality and human limitations. He also needed mercy, compassion, sympathy from God. He was not better than other people, so he must have been able to see how he also was weak.
3. Selection
v. 4 “No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.”
The position of High Priest carried special honor – but no one could become a High Priest simply by desiring it. God himself appointed the High Priest – he must be called and appointed by God.
Do you know the story of Aaron?
In the wilderness after the Exodus, he made a golden calf as an idol. Nevertheless, God called him as a priest during the wandering in the wilderness. Leviticus 8-9 describes the ceremony to become a priest. Aaron and his sons were washed, placed their hands on bulls and rams as they were killed, and given special clothes. This shows that holiness and selection comes from God himself, not from man.
In the OT, some people tried to do the function of priest by their own choice and were judged by God.
- King Saul invaded the priesthood and lost his kingdom.
- Cora and his followers tried to make himself priest, God judged them immediately.
- King Uziah tried to enter the temple and burn incense, but God struck him with leprosy until he died.
Qualifications for a Human High Priest
- Solidarity
- Sympathy
- Selection
Qualifications of Jesus Christ as our Great High Priest (we need to focus more on it) – there are 5.
1. Solidarity
Jesus became man to become our representative and understand us fully and experience all things we also experience
v. 5 “So Christ also did not take upon himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
2. Sympathy
This makes it very clear – Jesus became man. John 3:16 also: “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son…”
Phil “Jesus, by very nature God, became man…”
“…he became obedient to the point of death on a cross…”
3. Selection
Jesus is not a temporal High Priest, but eternal – that’s why he even now can intercede for us.
v. 6 “And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
This is difficult to understand, but if you can, it is very helpful.
Melchizedek – from Psalm 110:4
Yes we know, all human High Priests belong to the order of Levites (Aaron). Aaron was the first “official” ordained High Priest in the OT.
But Jesus belongs to the order of Melchizedek – not Aaron.
Who is Melchizedek?
This name is mentioned in only 2 places in the OT.
Genesis 14, Psalm 110
In the NT, his name is mentioned only in THIS book – Hebrews (10 times). Here it is mentioned 2x (v. 6, 10). We will see his name also again later.
- Aaron was from the tribe of Levi.
- Jesus was not. He was from the tribe of Judah – through the seed of David.
Aaron was the first official High Priest – he started to appear in Exodus.
Melchizedek appears in Genesis – about 500 years before Aaron. He blessed Abraham and received a tithe from Abraham. This means he was higher (and before) Aaron.
He was a real man. His name means, “King of righteousness, king of peace.” He is the only person in history who was a king AND a priest. He was a kingly priest, and a priestly king.
There is no story about his origin – but God used him as a symbol and picture of Jesus as our King AND Priest – our righteousness forever and ever.
4. Submission & Prayer
Jesus lived a life of prayer. God bless us all to be a person of prayer as well.
v. 7 “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from [out of] death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.”
He did not pray to escape physical death on the cross – but he believed and prayed for his resurrection.
He prayed during his life and ministry regularly and habitually. He spent long seasons in prayer – sometimes overnight prayer. At other times, he got up very early and prayed, at other times – before great tasks. Luke 22:44 “In great anguish, he prayed so earnestly that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
He prayed submissively and obediently.
Imagine – if the Son of God needed to pray – how much more do we (weak) human beings need to pray?
Phil 2:5 “Your attitude must be like that of Christ Jesus.”
5. Man of Humility
v. 8 “8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered “
He emptied himself, took on the form of a servant, was found in the likeness of human beings and obeyed to the point of death. He was also meek and humble on earth. He was so rich – as God – but he became poor to make us rich.
We know the story of Christmas. He was born in a stable (an animal food box) because there was no room for him in the inn. He confessed, “I have no place to put my head.”
He said, “I did not come to be served but to serve and give my life as a ransom for many.”
He washed the feet of his students.
Conclusion:
What is the title of today’s sermon?
Jesus is the Source of our Eternal Salvation
v. 9-10 “and, once made perfect, he became *the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him* 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.”
Question: Am I obeying him?
What is salvation?
It is forgiveness of sin. Delivery from the bondage of Satan – becoming a child of God – freedom from condemnation and the penalty of hell – eternal life.
“He became the source of Eternal Salvation” (v. 9)
Please make this sure in your hearts. Salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:25 “Jesus Christ is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for us.”
Acts 4:12 “Salvation is found in no one else for these is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
There are many good / great / wonderful men – but salvation can be found ONLY in Christ.
Yes, we know there are many religions around us. Religion is good because no religion says, “Do evil” – all religions teach us to do good. But in the matter of salvation, it is only found in Jesus Christ.
How can we receive this salvation? v. 9 “and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him”
“Obey him” is essential. What does this mean? To do what he says.
God bless you.
Obey him:
- Believe in him
- Accept him as personal savior / Lord
- Commit my whole life for his glory / kingdom
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Application:
Part one: The qualifications of human High Priests
If we are saved, this is important, but I’ll tell the meaning next time. Here’s the title: “If we are saved, God is calling us as Priests.”
Are you saved? Then you have a right / authority / privilege / responsibility to say:
“I’m a priest.”
Please remember this until next Sunday. Next Sunday, I’ll share: What does this mean?
This is not my word, but the word of God.
1 Peter 2:9 “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, so that you may announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness and into his wonderful light.” (Meditate on and memorize this verse)
Next week, I’ll share continually what the meaning of “I’m a Priest” is.
Bless your neighbor, “Priest, God bless you.”
Let’s pray.
