Hebrews studies series

Hebrews 5:1-14

Aaron, Jesus, and Me

HEBREWS STUDY #9

s Do you ever have trouble understanding a certain book of the Bible? Which book is hardest for you to understand?

s Why are some books harder to understand than others?

s Are there blessings attached with the study of a passage hard to understand?

s Are there ever problems within us that keep us from understanding the truths of God’s Word?

One of the key things that we saw in our study last week was that Jesus is our great High Priest. This week we will make a comparison of Aaron and Jesus as High Priests. Then we will look for a few minutes at why this passage and ones to follow might be hard for us to understand. We will be taking a look at ourselves. Hence, the title “Aaron, Jesus, and Me”.

AARON

Please note that when we talk about Aaron as high priest, we are referring to him, and those members of his family that succeeded him in the Priesthood.

1. HE MINISTERED AS A MAN FOR MAN TO GOD – Vs. 1

Ø Why was the High Priest a man and not an angel or some other heavenly being?

Ø Notice that the High Priest ministers for man. His job was one of service. How are we, as Christians, to be of service to other Christians? How are we, as Christians, to be of service to unbelievers?

Ø The High Priest offered sacrifices for sin, not only on the Day of Atonement, when he went into the “Holy of Holies”, but all year.

Ø The High Priest was coming to God in behalf of men. How do Christians do the same?

See 1 Timothy 2:1 and James 5:16.

2. HE HAD COMPASSION BECAUSE HE COULD IDENTIFY WITH HIS

FELLOW MAN – Vs. 2

Ø God’s High Priest was to have compassion or to “deal gently” with people.

Ø “It refers to the middle course between apathy and anger. A true high priest is not indifferent to moral lapses; neither is he harsh.” Frank E. Gabelein, Editor, The Expositor’s Bible Commentary ,Volume 12, (Grand Rapids, Michigan, Zondervan Publishing House, 1981

Ø In viewing and dealing with the sins of others, how is it possible to be neither apathetic nor condemning? Consider the quality of the High Priest mentioned in this verse.

3. HE HAD TO OFFER SACRIFICES FOR HIS OWN SINS AS WELL AS

THE SINS OF OTHERS – Vs. 3

Ø The High Priest, being human and a sinner, had to offer sacrifices for his own sins.

Ø As God’s priests today, how do we deal with our sins before praying for others? 1John 1:9

4. HE WAS CALLED OF GOD – Vs. 4

Ø Aaron and his descendents were the High Priests and priests in Israel for only one reason. What was it?

JESUS

1. HE MINISTERS AS A MAN, THE SON OF GOD, FOR MAN TO GOD – Vs. 5

ü Acts 13:33-34 shows that Psalms 2:7, quoted here, refers to the resurrection. Jesus, as a resurrected man sits at the right hand of the Son of God as our High Priest.

2. HE WAS CALLED OF GOD – Vss. 6, 10

ü God chose Jesus to be a priest, but there is a problem. What Tribe was Jesus from? What was Aaron from? Which tribe was the tribe of the priests?

ü The solution to the problem is really quite simple. Jesus was a priest of a different order, the Order of Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4

ü Who was Melchizedek? Genesis 14:18-20

ü Melchizedek was also a king, King of Salem. What town was Salem?

ü Jesus is also a king. “King of Kings” and “Lord of Lords”. From where will He reign?

3. HE HAS COMPASSION BECAUSE HE CAN IDENTIFY WITH HIS

FELLOW MEN – Vss. 7-8

ü To what is verse 7 probably referring? How did this event prepare him to be a sympathetic High Priest?

ü Why did Jesus need to learn obedience?

4. HE OFFERED SACRIFICE FOR SIN ONCE AND FOR ALL – Vs. 9

ü How was Jesus’ sacrifice different from the ones Aaron offered?

ME

The Hebrews were being confronted with some pretty deep theological discussion here. And the author of Hebrews had even more to say about the priesthood under Melchizedek. He stops to give an admonition. We need to ask if what is said here applies to us.

1. IS THERE DULLNESS? – Vs. 11

· The word dullness means “sluggish” or “lazy.

· How does this hurt our understanding of Scripture?

· How do Christians get “sluggish” or “lazy” in their devotions and in church?

2. IS THERE DELAY? – Vs. 12

· Why do Christians not want to be teachers?

· Why is this verse a challenge even if we never teach?

· What are some doctrines that are “milk”? What are some that are “strong meat”?

3. IS THERE A DETRIMENT? – Vs. 13

· What is the problem with “milk”? Should it be eliminated entirely? 2 Peter 1:12-13

4. IS THERE DISCERNMENT? – Vs. 14

· How does one develop an appetite for strong meat?

· What are the advantages of a diet of strong meat?