Hebrews 5:1-4

Summary retelling of Hebrews 5:1-4

Every high priest that is appointed from the ranks of humanity was appointed so that they could offer sacrifices for our sin in an attempt to honor our relationship with God.  Because the priest is human, he can understand and deal with all kinds of ignorance and mistaken behavior.  Because he is human, he is obligated to first offer up a sacrifice for his own sins and then offer up a sacrifice for the sins of others.  Priests do not pick up this honor because they desire it.  They should pick up the honor because God has called them to it – as God called Aaron, Moses brother.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The duty of the high priest was primarily to make sacrifices.  They were concerned about the relationship with God and Hebrew people.  The duty of the priest in the Hebrew scriptures is that of a mediator between God and mankind.  The priest was to call attention to the people’s sinfulness and move the people to a position of repentance and humbleness before their God.

In what ways do you think a priest in the Old Testament is like a disciple of Christ?  In what ways are priests even like pastors?  In what ways are the Old Testament priests not like followers of Christ?

Second Thought:

The high priests were always human.  Thus, to be correct, the priest must start with his own sinfulness.  The priest must make atonement for his own guilt and fallen nature before even attempting to deal with anyone else’s guilt.  The priest had to offer up a sacrifice for his own cleansing before being able to even have a chance of positively helping anyone else.

What does this passage help us understand about why Christians need to reflect on their own lives?  How does this passage relate to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1-5?

Third Thought:

Priests are called by God.  It has to be that way.  It is difficult enough to follow God and remember to put God first that it can only be accomplished through God’s strength given out at God’s calling.  It is even more difficult to help other people to focus properly on God.  This, too, can only be accomplished through His calling.  People who think to become priests on their own strength will find that they don’t have what it takes to do the job properly – for even those who are genuinely called by God struggle with this!

How do you think a priest was called by God?  How do you think that such a calling was validated within a person?  We’re basically talking about the discernment process – how does discernment happen?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 5:5-6