Christ Greater than Aaron

Epistle to the Hebrews - Part 9 • Hebrews 5:1-10 • January 3, 2021 • English Service 10:00 AM

Sermon Introduction

The author explained that Christ is the high priest that passed through the heavens; therefore, every believer must hold firmly to their confession (a confession is also a declaration of beliefs and convictions). Christ’s greatness does not diminish His sympathy to all who have faith in Him. He experienced temptation like us in all points, yet He did not sin. His experience is proof that Christ can sympathize with us. Therefore, we may approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy, grace, and help (4:14-16).

Dr. Ed Pilapil Jr. Senior Pastor

Hebrews 5:1-10 NASB

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of people in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; 2 he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is clothed in weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins for himself, as well as for the people. 4 And no one takes the honor for himself, but receives it when he is called by God, just as Aaron also was.

5 So too Christ did not glorify Himself in becoming a high priest, but it wasHe who said to Him,

“You are My Son,
Today I have fathered You”;

6 just as He also says in another passage,

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”

7 In the days of His humanity, He offered up both prayers and pleas with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His devout behavior. 8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him, 10 being designated by God as High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Notes

The author also wrote to declare Christ greater than Aaron. God appointed Aaron to sacrifice for the sins for the people, including himself, a sinner. God appointed Christ as High Priest to become the source of eternal salvation.

A high priest among men like Aaron offered sacrifices for the people and himself. He identified with the people because he was also a sinner. No high priest chooses to be a high priest; God chooses a high priest.
God designated Christ to be the High Priest. Although Christ was God’s Son, He was obedient through the sufferings. As a high priest, He prayed with loud crying and tears to the One who could save Him.
Christ completed His task. Thus, He became the source of salvation for all who obey Him. God appointed Christ as the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was before Aaron, and even before Levi.

Application

Let us appreciate the value of a high priest in the Old Covenant. God chose a priest to sacrifice for the sins of the people, including his sins. Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, yet He had no sin.
God designated Christ as a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, a high priest during the time of Abraham, a man of faith. Aaron represents the law. We can say that Christ represents faith. Let us have faith in Christ. He is more significant than Aaron and greater than any religious icon.
Christ is the source of salvation to those who obey Him; therefore, we must obey Him. However, this obedience must be coming from faith. What is faith? It is a conviction without a doubt that His word is true. It is a conviction without a doubt that Christ is the only source of salvation because of His obedience to suffer and die as a sacrifice for sins.

Discussion Guide

What is the role of the high priest according to the Old Testament?
What was Christ’s role as God’s high priest who was greater than Aaron?
What does it mean that Christ is according to the order of Melchizedek? And what is its significance to us?