Better Than Priests - Hebrews 5-7
Sermon Recap
When you are in a culture long enough, you stop noticing how strange something sounds to an outsider. We might react that way when we hear the book of Hebrews speak about Jesus as our “high priest.” What does that mean and what difference does it make to us? Three phrases from Hebrews 5-7 help us understand.
“Loud cries and tears.” Hebrews explains to us that our priests can be tender and merciful to us because they also are people who need God’s mercy. But then why can Jesus – who was righteous and blameless – also be tender to us?
If we remember Jesus in Gethsemane, we see Jesus praying with “loud cries and tears.” He knows what it is like to be overwhelmed by what lies ahead. He knows what it is to want another way. He understands us. We will never kneel in a place where Jesus hasn’t knelt before. But Jesus the high priest doesn’t “just” kneel with us. He has moved into the presence of the Father where he is now an “anchor of the soul” (Hebrews 6:19).
“Anchor of the soul.” Hebrews 6 opens with one of the most challenging and serious warnings in the NT. (See Hebrews 6:4-6). What are we to make of this? Especially when we bring to mind our own lives: Our repeated sins. Our seasons of doubting. Years spent walking away from the church.
The word for “fall away” points though to a deliberate choice. This isn’t a person stumbling in their faith. It is someone who has known what God has given to them in Jesus and in the end says, “I don’t want him.” So don’t harden your heart, don’t turn away. And also notice the unique word that follows the warning, the word “agapetoi” – “beloved” – in Hebrews 6:9.
This is the only use of that word in the book. It frames the warning not as a word to push away the discouraged, but rather to keep the beloved people close to Jesus. Importantly, the conclusion is not to tell tired Christians to hold on more firmly, but to look to Jesus, who is our anchor holding on to us in the presence of God. Just like Israel’s high priest carried the names of the 12 tribes, so our high priest carries our names with him into God’s presence.
If everything depends on Jesus our high priest standing before God on our behalf, how do we know he will always be there no matter what? Because He always lives.
“He always lives.” Hebrews 7 refers to one of the strangest characters in the Bible, a priest named Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:17-20). He is a priest who arrives with no genealogy (like was required of Israel’s priests), but Abraham gave him a tithe of all he owned. We know nothing about his birth or death, and he disappears from the story right after.
Hebrews points to him and says Jesus is a high priest like Melchizedek. Jesus can be a priest forever on the basis of the power of an indestructible life (7:17). We usually speak of Jesus’ work for us in the past tense (he died, he rose again) but Hebrews speaks of a present, ongoing work: he intercedes for us. He represents us. Our standing before God is wrapped up in him, and God now welcomes us like He welcomes Jesus.
Spiritual leaders fail, pastors fail, even churches fail. But Jesus remains our high priest now and forever.
Entering Conversation
Feel free to use any or all of these questions - or your own – in any order. The goal of our talking together is not merely better understanding, but to help us respond to what we have heard. Always, share as much or as little as you are comfortable with.
(NB: Some groups are giving intentional time this term to learning each other’s stories. If so, feel no pressure to also attempt a weekly sermon discussion. Let stories be told, maybe followed by a prayer of blessing over those who shared this week.)
“High priest” is an unusual term for us. If a friend with no church background asked what it means that Jesus is our high priest, how would you explain it to them after hearing this sermon?
Which of the 3 phrases ("loud cries and tears," "anchor of the soul," "he always lives") most connected with you? Why?
"Spiritual leaders fail, pastors fail, even churches fail." How has that been part of your life, and did it change how you trusted in God? (Share as much or as little as you like.)
We don’t think often of the right-now, ongoing work of Jesus representing us before the Father. Did that thought challenge you?
Has there been a season where you drifted from the faith or doubted God? What brought you back? If you’re in a season like that now, can you name what is keeping you in community with other Christians
End your discussion time in prayer together. If specific concerns were shared, name them as you’re able and trust them to God’s care. Wrap up your time in prayer by praying the Lord’s Prayer together, including kids if appropriate to your group.
For this week
Remembering the ongoing work of Jesus interceding for us is intended to encourage us and help us trust Jesus as our anchor in God’s presence. Are there ways your group can help each other bring this to mind throughout the week?