Perfect in Every Way
Opening Prayer
Lord, thank You that You did not call me to anything that You have not suffered, and greater. I love You.
Read Hebrews 5:1-10
[1] Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people 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] And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. [5] In the same way, Christ did not take on 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 fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. [8] Son though he was, 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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who is Jesus compared to and why?Melchizedek is an obscure character in the Bible (see Genesis 14) but a very important figure in the argument of this letter. At the time there was, in some circles, an expectation of two messiahs. One would be a king in the Davidic line (“Messiah of Israel”) and the other would be a priest (“Messiah of Aaron”). Jesus was a “son of David” by virtue of his genealogy, but David was not from a priestly line. Did that mean that someone else would be the priestly messiah? The solution is found in Psalm 110 where the Messiah is described as “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek” [not Aaron], so Jesus could be both King and Priest.This is important. Jesus combines the rule of God and the mercy of God. These twin characteristics set the tone of the letter, which is both authoritative and sympathetic. One quality of a high priest is that he should be able to sympathize with those he represents (2). Jesus, “Son though he was” (8), experienced suffering and remained obedient. He is therefore perfectly qualified to represent us before God, sharing both in our weakness and in God’s power.
Apply
The word “perfect” (9) can also mean “complete” or even “mature.” Ask Jesus to accompany you as God shapes you in this perfection.
Closing prayer
Gentle Friend, in the fire, help me to see that You are shaping me and that Your heart is full of tender love.
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