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Psalms
133:1-3 A Song of Ascents. Of
David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the
head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge
of his garments. It is like the
dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD
commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.
The
theme of this psalm is - The goodness and the pleasantness of brotherly unity. The
lessons taught by this psalm - True unity is found only in Christ and unity in
a social unit comes when all the members of this social unit are in union and
communion with Him and with each other. True unity is indeed good and precious.
Father God, open our eyes so we can see
clearly when it comes to understanding scripture. Help us to mature into seasoned
Christians so we can partake of the meat of the Bible and apply it to our lives.
We pray and ask for this in
Jesus
name, Amen!
Book of Hebrews 5:1-14 NKJV
The
one thing we must keep in mind with this chapter is what the writer of this
book it attempting to do, and that is convince his listeners who Jesus is. The
Hebrew people if this time period were saved individuals, but were slipping
back into the customs, rules, and laws of OT times. So the writer stresses both
Christ's divine appointment and his humanity in this chapter. The writer uses
two OT verses to show Jesus divine appointment: Psalm
2:7 and Psalm
110:4.
At the
time this book was written, the Mosaic regulations had been disregarded and Romans
were selecting High Priest in Jerusalem. There were several persons at one time
given the title of High Priest, in other words the office was being bought and
sold. In the Old Testament, however, God chose Aaron, and only Aaron's
descendants could be High Priests. Jesus, like Aaron, was chosen and called by
God.
1 For every
High Priest taken from
among men is appointed for men in things pertaining
to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
For
every High Priest;
This statement right here is one that the Jewish people could not accept,
because priest and High Priest were to be descendants of Aaron, this alone
caused the Jewish people not to believe that Jesus could be a High Priest. But His
Priesthood was of another order, that of Melchizedek. In fact, the Messiah
while on Earth did not have access to the Jerusalem Temple so far as
officiating as a Priest was concerned.
Taken
from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God;
It was customary for High Priest to be taken from men with the correct Jewish
lineage. These priests’ duties were to minister to the people in things that
involve man’s relationship with God. It was fitting for the priests to be of
human nature in order to relate to the problems of the individuals they were
ministering to. He was to be a family man by marrying a virgin. He was also the
judge of all that pertained to the general justice of the Hebrew commonwealth (Deuteronomy
17:8–12; 19:17; 21:5; 23:9–10).
That
he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; One of the main duties of these High
Priests was to offer gifts and sacrifices for individual’s sins. Once a year
the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and sprinkle blood on the mercy
seat for the atonement of sin.
2 He can
have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is
also subject to weakness.
This verse is also
referring to the appointment and nature of a High Priest. With him being of
human nature and being subject to the sin nature, he could draw from his own
life and experiences in order to counsel someone going down the wrong path and
away from God whether it is in holiness or family matters.
In the OT this was all
handed down by God pertaining to priest and High Priest. It all makes sense
because God loves his people and He holds marriage and families with high
regard, because they are a part of His prescribe order of life. Who else could
minister to His people with compassion, if a priest isn’t a husband and father,
how can he have compassion and life experience to draw from to minister to his
flock?
3 Because
of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins.
Because he (High Priest)
is a sinner; an imperfect man the priest makes amends for sins, his and others.
He needs the same atonement; he offers the sacrifice for himself and others. Leviticus 9:7 And Moses said to Aaron, "Go to the altar,
offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for
yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make
atonement for them, as the LORD commanded."
This duty of offering
sacrifices by the High Priest of the OT was one of a mediator between the
people and God. This system of sacrifices and atonement of sins was all done
away with when Jesus died on the Cross and the veil of the Holy of Holies was
ripped from top to bottom. Jesus became our High Priest because He was sinless
and He died for us as the last and ultimate sacrifice for sin. This is why we
go to Jesus and confess our sins now; he is our mediator before God. There is
no record of any of the apostles being named as a High Priest.
4 And no
man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.
No one can become a High
Priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this
work. Aaron was called by God to serve as a High Priest.
5 So also
Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: "YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I
HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU."
So
also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest; Jesus came to save the lost, He did
not seek the office of High Priest. Jesus was humble and didn’t desire the
status of High Priest like some did.
But it was He who said to Him:
"YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU."; It was this statement by God to Jesus
that exalted Jesus to the High Priest office. There is no one else higher than
Jesus, with Jesus being the Son of the one and only living God.
6 As He also says in another place: "YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING
TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK";
Paul is bringing out a
comparison of Melchizedek and Jesus. His Hebrew listeners know about
Melchizedek and he was viewed by them as a High Priest, but was not from the
linage of Aaron. Paul is trying to get his point across that God can do as He
pleases when it comes to High Priest and all they need to do is accept Jesus as
a High Priest appointed by God and believe.
Melchizedek, King of
Salem, and priest of the most high God, who met Abram in the valley of Shaveh,
which is the king's valley, bought out bread and wine, blessed Abram, and
received tithes from Abram. Genesis 14:18-20.
The "order of
Melchizedek," in Psalm 110:4, is explained to mean
"manner" or likeness in official dignity or a king and priest. The
relation between Melchizedek and Jesus
both being a priest are: (1) not of the Levitical tribe; (2) superior to
Abraham; (3) whose beginning and end are unknown; (4) who is not only a priest,
but also a king of righteousness and peace.
To sum this verse up, God
is saying to His Son that He is a priest forever just like Melchizedek. God
proclaims the eternal High Priesthood not man.
7 who, in
the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with
vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was
heard because of His godly fear,
Who,
in the days of His flesh;
This represents Jesus incarnation.
When
He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears; Jesus was in great agony as he
prepared to face death (Luke_22:41-44). Although Jesus cried out to God
asking to be delivered, he was prepared to suffer humiliation, separation from
his Father, and death in order to do God's will.
He prayed with great
intensity and shed tears. Who says that men don’t cry, or that if a man cries
he is weak? I say a man that doesn’t shed tears is a man that doesn’t know
Jesus and needs to get saved. It is recorded in scripture three times Jesus
wept: (1) at the grave of Lazarus, tears of loving sympathy, (2) when He looked
upon Jerusalem and saw the tribulations through which the devoted city must
pass, (3) and in Gethsemane’s garden.
To
Him who was able to save Him from death; Jesus was crying out to God the Father to save Him from
what was about to happen, but was also obedient to the Fathers will. There are
two words in Greek which mean “from.”
The first one “apo” means “from the edge of.” The second one “ek” means “out from within.” This is the one that is used here. So Jesus cry
was to be saved from death, in other words to be resurrected. It wasn’t a cry
to be saved from a physical death, because that was the purpose of Jesus coming
in human form, to die on the Cross in our place, a perfect sacrifice.
And
was heard because of His godly fear;
Jesus was heard by His Father, how do we know this? Jesus was always heard by
His Father because He was the Son of God, and also scriptures tell us also. John 11:42 And I know that You
always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You
sent Me." Jesus
was also heard because He always prayed according to God’s will. He lived to
please God and not Himself. Jesus was obedient and allowed God to sustain Him
in all that He did through the power of the Holy Spirit.
At times we all undergo
trials, and during these times of tribulation we need to be obedient as Jesus
was and allow Him to sustain and encourage us in times of trial. We can face
anything if we know that Jesus Christ is with us.
What about “His godly fear”?
What is meant by this statement? Just because Jesus was the Son of God it
doesn’t mean that Jesus wasn’t tempted. Jesus was incarnate; in human flesh, He
was susceptible to sin, disobedience. This is what this Godly fear is, failing
due to the fleshly desires of not wanting to undergo the agonizing death Jesus
was facing. He feared letting His Father down and not doing His will. Jesus
wanted everything to be done as God had declared. The eternal destiny of man
was at stake, and He must not veer from His Fathers course in any detail. If we
don’t have this type of fear of living God’s will, we should be praying for it
daily.
8 though He
was a Son, yet He learned
obedience by the things which He suffered.
Just because Jesus was the
Son of God which stresses Deity, but also man, Jesus learned obedience through
suffering, not sin. Jesus learned obedience through the suffering of the world,
observing peoples lifestyles that were sinful with, greed, envy, lies, murders,
hate, fornication, adultery, filthy language, worship of idols, homosexuality,
covetousness, etc. He suffered these things through the actions of other people
around Him because He knew they were destined for eternal darkness.
9 And
having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who
obey Him,
“Having been perfected”,
refers to Jesus learning obedience through suffering. With Him being perfected
He was ready for the sacrifice on the Cross, which is what we must place our
faith in for salvation. Salvation is believing in Jesus death, burial, and
resurrection. Remember this chapter is also referring to the High Priest; this
perfection is also what makes Jesus our High Priest.
“All who obey”, refers to
those that are saved and living for Jesus, if we truly have made Him the Lord of
our lives, we will definitely obey Him.
10 called by God as High Priest "ACCORDING TO
THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK,"
This call of God as High
Priest was given to Jesus having completed His earthly mission of perfection.
His priesthood is according to Melchizedek because Jesus died for all of
mankind not just Jews. His Priesthood had to rest in something other than the OT
Levitical Order. Being after the Order of Melchizedek, which ministered to all people
satisfied both demands, because Melchizedek preceded Israel as God’s people,
thus a position forever (“Forever” note verse 6 above).
11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to
explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be
teachers, you need someone to
teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come
to need milk and not solid food.
13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.
14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full
age, that is, those who by
reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
In these four verses Paul
is addressing the sluggishness of these Hebrew Jewish Christians. These Jewish
Christians were immature. Some of them should have been teaching others, but
they had not even applied the basics to their own lives. Paul is stating it was
useless for him to go deep into the meaning of the Gospel, because they
wouldn’t understand due to their laziness. They were reluctant to move beyond
age-old traditions, doctrines, and Jewish law. They wouldn't be able to
understand the high-priestly role of Christ unless they moved out of their
comfortable position, cut some of their Jewish ties, and stopped trying to
blend in with their culture. Just like babies are started out on milk, a new
believer must start out on the basics of the Gospel and fully understand before
moving deeper into God’s word. Commitment to Christ moves people out of their
comfort zones. Are you in a comfort zone of the religion that you practice? Do
you practice religion or faith in the message of the Cross for salvation?
In order to grow from
infant Christians to mature Christians, we must learn discernment. We must
train our conscience, our senses, our mind, and our body to distinguish good
from evil. Can you recognize temptation before it traps you? Can you tell the
difference between a correct use of Scripture and a mistaken one? Can you
discern whether a message from a minister or priest is from God’s Word or mans
word? Do you live according to God’s Word or what you want it to mean?
Colossians 1:16 For by Him all things were created
that are in heaven and that are on earth,
visible and invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.
All
things were created through Him and for Him.
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God,
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you,
unless one is
born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
Bill
Wiesbrock https://www.facebook.com/bill.wiesbrock?ref=tn_tnmn
The
Lighthouse Full Gospel Church
Sinners Prayer; Pray this, and if you believe
it with your heart, Jesus will save you!
“Lord Jesus
I know I am a sinner. I confess my sins
to you; I am sorry for my sins; I repent (Meaning, desiring to turn from a
sinful lifestyle.) of all my sins, and I am asking for your forgiveness of all
of my sins. I believe that only you can
forgive sin. I commit my life to you and
ask you to come into my heart, direct, and take charge of my life. I believe that you died to set me free from
my sinful lifestyle and you rose from the dead to give me eternal life, and right
now you are seated at the Right Hand of God Almighty. I believe you are the Son
of God; the only Way, the only Truth, the only Life, and my Savior.” I believe this and have faith you will make a
new person out of me, by sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in my heart and lead
me in a new life. In Jesus name I pray Amen.”
(John 3:16,17; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-10; 1
John 5:11-14; 1:6-10) (Sin: Rom.
1:22-32; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:3-7)
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