There is no doubt that the matters the writer has been talking about in the last couple of passages are weighty. Such weightiness calls for greater clarification, but he can’t do that because his listeners are not in a place to hear it. This is because they are, simply put, not mature. In this passage he will dive into this hard, but necessary to hear topic on immaturity/maturity.
As we pick up where we left off in verse 4, we’ll see that the writer is not ready to move away from the topic of the High Priest. We saw 2 weeks ago that this was a much-needed position with very clear qualifications and duties, but only Jesus can fulfill them perfectly. So, the position is filled by Him alone. We will see precisely how this is so in the next verses of chapter 5 that Jesus is the only true candidate for the position of the THE High Priest.
Last week’s message on Jesus as our High Priest was really just the beginning of our exploration of this topic because the writer of Hebrews revisits this matter MANY times. In fact, the very next time is now as we dive back into the role of High Priest. In these verses the matter revolves around the qualifications and duties of the High Priest as established by God.
In this week’s text we will look at the concept of and what it tells us about God’s rest and how we can experience this kind of rest.
In this next chapter and section, the writer of Hebrews is concerned that some are drifting away from that great salvation we have been given in and through Jesus. The antidote to this drift is to pay attention to the Gospel rather than neglect it and will look at why this should be so.
This week as we look at verses 8-14, we are continuing with the assertion that the Son is greater than the angels. Whereas 5-7 emphasized the inferiority of the angels, these verses will emphasize the superiority of the Son and will look at how this truth is supported.
Not even the angels (as great as they may be) can hold a candle to Jesus as THE Son. We will see in this week’s passage how Angels are inferior to the Son. It is believed by many that angel worship was an issue within the Roman Empire during the 1st Century, which could partly be why the writer of Hebrews addresses the matter. While such angel worship may not be a similar problem in our own time and place, we are kidding ourselves if we think that our own affections never drift toward the creation rather than its Creator. So, there are wonderful reminders that no one has the position and worth of Jesus as the one, unique Son!
Indeed, there is none like the Son because He is supreme! While other passages in scripture can help support and showcase this truth, this passage is one of the most emphatic! We will find out, who He is, what He did and how He must be known.
We begin the Hebrews Sermon Series this week and see how God our Creator, throughout history, has communicated to His creation. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that he has done so faithfully, finally, and fully. Jesus is the last word! Listening to Jesus is not “like” but IS listening to God!
The role of prayer plays a crucial part in the life and ministry of the Church. It is that vital connection and communion that we have with the triune God. Many times, we look at prayer from our side of the fence but today we will look at things from the other side of the fence, the modeling Christ did (His earthly heart for us) and continues to do for us (His heavenly heart for us).