For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

Hebrews 7

 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Hebrews 7:26-28

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 7:23-28, as I lean specifically on Hebrews 7:26-28 and the associated commentary, which refers to this text as the second division "The Perfect Priest".  Here, we once again see the contrast between the sacrifices required under the law made by the Levitical priests, vs the perfect sacrifice made by Jesus on the cross.  Jesus fulfilled all of the requirements of shed blood because as the commentary describes, He lived a sinless life and was "undefiled" and "spotless."  Christ's sacrifice also ended the need for ongoing daily and annual sacrifices required by Old Testament law. The commentary includes a discussion dismissing those who view the first covenant as a failure.  It shares: "It succeeded gloriously. Its purpose was never to save; it was to demonstrate man’s need for a Savior....We can only grasp the fullness of what that means when we see how Christ fulfills the expectations in the old covenant by being for us the great high priest of the new and better covenant."  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, the Great High Priest and perfect in how fulfill this role.  I know I can approach You in confidence in my time of need to wash my sins away, and intercede on my behalf.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me in these ways - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

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 5:7-10

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 5:1-10, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the third (and final) division "Our Perfect High Priest," which looks at Hebrews 5:7-10.  Here, the commentary first explores the text for today by pointing to Jesus' prayers in v7 and how, as the Incarnate Son, He "was not exempt from the frailty of human experience", and that during the time of his earthly ministry, Jesus depended on God (as we do) for all of His needs.  We are reminded that Jesus prayed consistently and regularly, not just as His crucifixion neared. We are referred to His prayer in John 17 as probably one of the more striking examples of Jesus' prayer. In its examination of Jesus' prayer in v7, the commentary states that these prayers and supplications "were not prayers expressing a desire to escape the cross and the grave....[Instead], he prayed in order to be saved out of death through the resurrection."  Of course God answered this prayer! Next, the commentary looks at how Jesus was perfected in v9 through suffering and obedience, writing: "[t]hat Jesus learned obedience should not cause us to think that Jesus needed to be taught obedience because he was disobedient at one point. Hebrews is clear that Jesus never disobeyed....[H]e was made perfect in the sense that learning obedience through suffering was a prerequisite for becoming a qualified and sufficient high priest." Believers rejoice in how we have a perfect High Priest!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is a perfect High Priest, able to intercede on my behalf to the Father.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You intercede for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.