Hebrews 5 - 6.13.23

SCRIPTURE:  Hebrews 5: 8-10  "Though He was God's Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered.  After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, and He was declared by God a high priest in the order of Melchizedek."

OBSERVATION:  The author of Hebrews is anonymous, but he was a mature Jewish Christian.  He wrote to the Jewish Christian congregation, which was filled with true believers, and some who were uncertain.  The writer explained how Jesus fulfilled the role of the high priest while at the same time changing the nature of the priesthood. 

Aaron was a man called by God to represent the children of Israel before the Father.  Jesus Christ was and is a man called by His Father to bridge the gap between Himself and His people.  Aaron was only a man, but Jesus became the One and only God-man, the incarnate Son of God.  In fact He is God Who became flesh.  (John 1:1,14).

Rather than a fallible human priest, we are able to approach the great high priest Who is seated at the right hand of the Father.  When the saints in the Old Testament offered their sacrifices day after day, year after year, they were trusting God and looking forward to a time when the ultimate perfect sacrifice would take every sin, once and for all.  (Gene Getz Life Essential Study Bible).

APPLICATION:  The blood that Jesus shed on the cross was an atonement for my sins, and His death and resurrection made a way for me to have fellowship with the Father.  When I approach God, it's Jesus Who represents me before the Father.  Every time I communicate through prayer to God, it is always through His Son, Jesus. 

I have been redeemed and forgiven, and I have received eternal life through Jesus, and it's God's perfect will that I am to be a functioning part of His family, taught by His Word and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  

PRAYER:  Thank You Jesus for being willing to leave heaven to die for my sins.  Thank You for Your obedience to the Father.  Fully God, and fully man; the perfect One Who never sinned, and yet You were willing to take ALL my sins upon Yourself when You hung on that cross and died! Thank You for bridging the gap between God and myself.  You replaced the need to sacrifice the blood of animals, and became the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29).  I pray I will follow Your example by being obedient to the Father.  

- Robin Orefice