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HUMAN HIGH PRIEST VS HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST

Hebrews 5:5-14

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.  In Hebrews 5, the inspired penman begins to expand on the subject of Jesus as our High Priest.

 

B.   This, however, is not the first time Jesus has been mentioned as a High Priest.

 

C.  In chapter five, we see the “Human High Priest vs. Heavenly High Priest.”

 

D.  Outline:

 

i.             The Human High Priest (Heb. 5:1-4)

ii.            The Heavenly High Priest (Heb. 5:5-10)

iii.           The Hearing of the Hebrews (Heb. 5:11-14)

 

I.         THE HUMAN HIGH PRIEST (Heb. 5:1-4)

 

II.       THE HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST (Heb. 5:5-10)

 

A.  Humbled in Position (Heb. 5:5-6)

 

So also Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.  As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

1.    Humility (Heb. 5:5a)

 

So also Christ glorified not himself…

 

a.    The position of high priest would be a place of honor for a man.

b.    As the Word, the second member of the Godhead, Jesus stepped down in rank by taking upon him the office of a high priest.

2.    Humanity (Heb. 5:5b)

 

…but he that said unto him, Thou art my son, today have I begotten thee.

 

a.    To become a high priest for men, Jesus had to become a man.

b.    To become a man, He had to be begotten of a human.

1)     Thus, we have the virgin birth (Isa. 7:14; Matt. 1:20-23; Luke 1:26-37).

2)    This was the fulfillment of a prophecy found in Psalm 2:7.

3.    High priest (Heb. 5:6)

 

As he said also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

 

a.    Again, the purpose of becoming a human was so He could become a high priest.

b.    This, too, was the fulfillment of OT prophecy (Ps. 110:4).

c.    NOTE:  Jesus could not be a high priest of the Aaronic order.

1)     He was not born of the tribe of Levi.  He was of the lineage of Judah (Gen. 49:10; Matt. 1:2).

2)    His priesthood, therefore, had to be of another.  He would be a priest after “the order of Melchisedec.”