◄ What Does Hebrews 5:5 Mean? ►

The Lord Jesus is uniquely the eternal Son of God, the perfect Son of Man, the rightful King of the universe, and God's anointed High Priest. He was sent from above to be the one and only Mediator between fallen humanity and a holy God as well as becoming God's personal representative to lost mankind.

In every way, the Lord Jesus is presented in Hebrews as being superior to prophets, angels, Moses, David, and all created beings, for He alone is the uncreated God Who was made in the likeness of mortal man, yet without sin. He is the exact, visible representation of the immortal, invisible God, the incarnate God, the eternal Word made flesh.

In Hebrews 5, the writer's focus is on the Aaronic priesthood and the qualities of the high priest who was required to present gifts and offerings to the Lord for the atonement of man's sin. The high priest was appointed to be the mediator between fallen man and a holy God. But this was not an office that was achieved through developed intellect, personal choice, or self-exaltation, nor was it acquired through a democratic vote or as a result of the dictatorial will of man. The Aaronic priesthood was by God's appointment. But just as the Aaronic priesthood was through God's appointment, so the Messiah of God did not exalt Himself to become a High Priest but was raised up to the exalted position of High Priest by divine appointment.

It was at His Resurrection, when Christ had fulfilled His role as the sin-sacrifice for the whole world, that God was finally able to say: "This day have I begotten Thee." It was when the Lord Jesus had finished the work that God had sent Him to do that He was lifted up to the position of God's eternal High Priest, and today Jesus is seated in heavenly places interceding for His people for He is the only Mediator between God and man. Jesus is our heavenly High Priest Who is interceding for us day and night.

In contrast to the temporary priesthood of Aaron and his descendants, who were fallen creatures in need of the forgiveness of sins through the constant cleansing from the old sin nature by means of many blood sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once, for all, and has established an eternal priesthood into which all members of the Body of Christ have been given a permanent position. This is a better priesthood with a better covenant, a better sanctuary, a better sacrifice, and better promises. He is not only able to offer a better sacrifice on our account, but has Himself become the innocent, blood-sacrifice that was slain for our sin from the foundation of the world, to atone for our sins.

The Lord Jesus was not appointed as High Priest after the order of Aaron, whose singular office was that of priest. Jesus was appointed after the order of Melchizedek, who held office as God's Prophet, God's Priest, God's King, the Messiah of Israel, and Saviour of the world.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, my anointed High Priest Who ever lives to make intercession for me. Thank You that He is the Mediator between God and man, and through Him I have access to Your throne of grace. Thank You that the Lord Jesus finished the good work of redemption, by means of His sacrificial death and glorious Resurrection so that by grace through faith in Him, I have been brought into eternal fellowship with You. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.