Sunday School Lesson Subject: Someone’s On My Side Unifying: Lesson Title: Jesus Intercedes for Us Lesson Text: Hebrews 4:14- 16 & 5:1-10 January 18, 2015 Sunday School is a vital part of any ministry. In it one is able to experience a deeper knowledge of God’s Word. Prayer Lord, as we study thy word we ask that You will be in our midst. Give us an ear to hear thy word. Give us a heart to except thy words that is pleasing to You. Help us to be able to discuss the matters at hand in a reasonable way, and to be willing to give up having our own way. God let our studying be productive and, as should be the case in all areas of our lives, help us to keep You at the forefront of our minds. __________________________________________________________ After studying this lesson we should be able to: Tell how Aaron and Melchizedek are significant to Jesus’ role of high priest, explain the need for Jesus to be “a great high priest and praise God for giving us the perfect intercessor. BIBLE TRUTH: God appointed Jesus, the High Priest, as an intercessor on behalf of His people. Introduction Have you ever felt alone and in this world? Times come when we are at our wits end and there is no one to speak up for you; no voice to be heard that will defend your cause, or no one who can sympathize with your predicament. Wouldnt it be nice if there were someone close enough to God to be able to speak up for a hurting and confused people? Someone whom when our faith is being challenged and slipping, will step in and be our go-between; our mediator with God? The good news is there is! His name is Jesus and He is still alive, in heaven, working and interceding on behalf of His people. When a child of God wants to talk to Him, he doesn’t need another human being to talk to God for him. Instead we have personal access to the God the Father through Jesus Christ (1Timothy 2:5). After Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, He ascended back to His original home in heaven. Today, Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father interceding on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1-2). As a result of Jesus ‘intercessory work, we who are saved by grace can hold to our profession of faith in Him. ________________________________________________________ Verses 14-15: Began with Christ as the “high priest”. His priestly ministry is far superior to any other priest’s because of the intercession He provides. The earthly high priest, with fear, once a year gained access to the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies; Christ not only has access to but is seated in the very presence of God the father. Yet, prior to this position, He partook of man’s nature and temptations so that He might sympathize (2:14-18), “yet without sin”. To imagine that since Jesus could not sin He could not suffer, point of the passage, temptation can be a reality apart from sin. “God cannot be “tempted with evil” (James 1:13), yet God is tried or tempted (Greek peirazo) by men (3:9; Acts 15:10). Yet, beyond the statements of this passage, He who was God, though made like man, could not sin (being impeccable); and indeed, He need not sin to be human. Before Adam sinned, he was completely human. The glorified saint will never again be able to sin, yet he remains human. Temptation is greatest in duration and intensity when one does not accept the “easy” way out by sinning. If man’s temptation is greater when he endures it, surely Christ’s was great since He had no alternative, in His humanity, but to endure it. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession. “Passed into the heavens”: Just as the High-Priest under the Old Covenant passed through 3 areas (the outer court, the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies) to make the atoning sacrifice, Jesus passed through 3 heavens (the atmospheric heaven, the stellar heaven and God’s abode; (2 Cor. 12:2-4) after making the perfect, final sacrifice. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the High-Priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement (punishment) for the sins of the people (Lev. 16). That tabernacle was only a limited copy of the heavenly reality (8:1-5). When Jesus entered into the heavenly Holy of Holies, having accomplished redemption, the earthly facsimile was replaced by the reality of heaven itself. Freed from that which is earthly, the Christian faith is characterized by the heavenly (3:1; Eph. 1;3; 2:6; Phil. 3:20; Col. 1:5; 1 Peter 1:4). Hebrews 8:1 Now of the things which we have spoken [this is] the sum: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption [for us]. Romans 8:34 Who [is] he that condemneth? [It is] Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. These Scriptures above tell us that Jesus Christ is the High Priest for all believers. He is our way into the holy of holies. He is constantly pleading our case to the Father. Jesus sacrifice of His body on the cross was our payment for all time. He is our High Priest forever. ________________________________________________________ Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without sin. “Tempted like as we are”: The writer here adds to his statements in 2:18 that Jesus was sinless. He was able to be tempted (Matt. 4:1-11), but not able to sin. Impeccability of Christ: Two words, tempt ability and impeccability, describe Christ in His temptation. The basic idea of tempt ability is “to be appealed to.” Christ was in this sense tempted, but He was not tempted with evil nor was He tempted by evil desires (James 1:13). As God, He could not be tempted with evil. The word impeccability means Christ as God could not have sinned. The comparative attributes of God made it impossible for him to sin when He was tempted. As you read about Christ’s temptation notice that He did not rely on His attributes but on the Word of God to resist the temptation of Satan. In this same way the Christian today can overcome temptation (Psalm 119:9-11). Jesus Christ the Righteous [our Lord] took on flesh so that He might relate to us in our flesh. Jesus fasted 40 days and was tempted by the devil. Jesus Christ was the only one who ever lived above sin. Philippians 2:7-8 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. “Come boldly unto the throne of grace”: Most ancient rulers were unapproachable by anyone but their highest advisers (Ester 4:11). In contrast, the Holy Spirit call for all to come confidently before God’s throne to receive mercy and grace through Jesus Christ (7:25; 10:22; Matt. 27:51). The Ark of the Covenant was viewed as the place on earth where God sat enthroned between the cherubim (2 Kings 19:15; Jer. 3:16-17). Oriental thrones included a footstool – yet another metaphor for the ark (Psalm 132:7). It was at the throne of God that Christ made atonement for sins, and it is there that grace is dispensed to believers for all the issues of life (2 Cor. 4:15; 9:8; 12:9; Eph. 1:7; 2:7). “Grace to you” became a standard greeting among believers who celebrated this provision (Rom. 1:7; 16:20, 24; Only Christianity provides such boldness for sinful men before a holy God, and that boldness is possible only because of our High Priest. The figure of a “throne” suggests place of authority and provision. It is the placed to obtain God’s grace when it is especially needed. Jesus Christ tore down the curtain separating God from mankind when He died on the cross. Matthew 27:51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; The way to the Father is provided through the name of Jesus. Jesus gave us the right to use His name. We pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. When we pray in the name of Jesus, God answers our prayers. John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. ________________________________________________________ Hebrew 5:1-10 Verses 1-10: Three qualifications for the Levitical priest are presented in verses 1-4. First, he must minister in behalf of other men by offering “sacrifices for sins”. Second, he must have “compassion” on those who inadvertently sin out of ignorance. Third, he must be appointed by or “called of God”. No angel or supernatural power could serve as High-Priest. Only men with the weaknesses of humanity could serve as High-Priest (verse 2; 7:28). The position of High-Priest in the Levitical system was by appointment only. No man could legitimately appoint himself High-Priest. The use of the present tense in these verses would seem to indicate that the Levitical system still was being practiced at the time of this epistle. __________________________________________________________ In verses 5-10 the author demonstrates that Christ meets these requirements. He reverses the order showing, first, Christ’s divine appointment (verses 5-6), second, in verses 7-8, His compassion – probably relating His Gethsemane experience (Mark 14:32-42), and third, in verses 9-10, His perfect offering for sin. Hebrews 5:1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: “Gifts and sacrifices”: The first term might refer especially to the grain offerings under the Old Covenant, which were for thanksgiving or dedication. That would leave the second term to refer to blood offerings for the expiration of sins (see Lev. 1-5). However, “gifts” is used in 8:4 to refer to all of the various sacrifices (8:3). The 3 occurrences of the phrase in the New Testament (8:3; 9:9) employ a Greek construction which expresses a closer relationship between the two terms than is normally indicated by the word “and.” This could indicate that no distinction should be made between the terms, and the “for sins” should be taken with both. We know that the high priest in the temple was the only one to go into the most holy place. He was not to go in unworthily, and he must carry the blood with him into the most holy place. This blood was not only for the people, but for his sins, as well. The high priest was the representative of the people to God. God spoke to the people through the Urim and Thumin (The Urim and Thummim was a priestly device for obtaining oracles. On the high priests ephod (an apron-like garment) lay a breastpiece – a pouch inlaid with 12 precious stones engraved with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel – that held the Urim and Thummim (Ex. 28:15–30; Lev) which was behind the breastplate worn by the high priest. This was symbolic of God speaking to the people through the heart of the high priest. The people had no direct contact with God at this time, but were represented by the high priest. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. “Have compassion”: This verb occurs only here in the New Testament. It carries the idea of maintaining a controlled but gentle attitude in the treatment of those who are spiritually ignorant and wayward. Impatience, loathing, and indignation have no part in priestly ministry. Such moderation and gentleness comes from realizing one’s own human weakness. The priest would be reminded of his own sinful humanity every time he offered sacrifices for his own sins (verse 3). The high priest was not a perfect man, but was chosen of God to represent the people. Aaron was a good example of the weakness of the high priests. He was the first high priest. Even though he was chosen of God for this job, and had actually heard the voice of God, he still built the golden calf which God had forbidden. Moses had gone to the top of the mountain to receive the 10 commandments from God. Aaron and the people decided that he was not coming back, and they did this terrible thing. We find that Aarons 2 oldest sons were no better than he was. God killed them for their sin. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. This Scripture should cover this fact that even the high priest was many times guilty of sin. Leviticus 4:3 If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:4 And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as [was] Aaron. “Called of God”: A High-Priest was selected and called by God into service (Edodus 28; Num. 16:1-40; 1 Sam. 16:1-3). Ministry, for the priest, or for preachers today, should not be undertaken as a profession. Those who minister must be called of God. To go into the ministry without God calling you to that job, would be a sin. 2 Chronicles 26:18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, [It appertaineth] not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour from the LORD God. This Old Testament Scripture shows that not even a king could take it upon himself to minister in the temple; God is the only one who can ordain someone to minister. I will give one New Testament Scripture on this and then go on. John 3:27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. We see that even the Christians must be called to be Gods children. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. __________________________________________________________ Verses 5-6: With the quotations of Psalms 2:7 and 110:4, the writer demonstrates that Christ’s Sonship and His priesthood were both by divine appointment (John 8:54). That means that the two titles are titles of subordination – the subordination not being in regard to essence or nature (John 10:30; 14:9, 11), but in regard to the fulfillment of the program of redemption. Neither office diminishes the eternal deity of Christ of the equality of the Trinity. Both offices had a beginning. It is noteworthy that Psalm 2 recognized the Son as both King and Messiah. Christ is the King-Priest. Hebrews 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. Jesus Christ [for His stay on earth] was the Son of God. In heaven, He is the Word of God. We know that the birth of Jesus was not a natural birth. Jesus was born of a virgin. The Holy Spirit hovered over Mary and she conceived of the Spirit of God. It was planned by the Father, Word, and Holy Ghost from the foundation of the world for Jesus to die for the sin of the people. In fact, not only did Jesus not glorify Himself, but all 3 of the Godhead glorified Him. The people were the Words creation, so it was only proper for Him to save them. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. We can easily see from this that not only are we all, the creation of the Word of God, but that Word took on the form of flesh and dwelt among us as Jesus Christ, The Son of God. He took the name of Jesus, for His stay on the earth, because Jesus means Savior. Hebrews 5:6 As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. “Quoted from Psalm 110:4, from which this whole section is expounded. This Melchizedek is the same as Melchizedek in the Old Testament. The name is different, because the Old and New Testaments are translated from different languages. This Melchizedek has been a mystery for thousands of years. Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he [was] the priest of the most high God. This Melchizedek appeared to only one man that we know of, and that man was Abraham; the father of all the believers. For us to be a spiritual son or daughter of Abraham, he would have to believe the same thing we do. If this Melchisedec is an appearance of our Lord, then he would believe the same as believers do. This Melchisedec appeared approximately 2000 years after the birth of Adam. Jesus the Christ Child appears approximately 2000 years after this happening. The King of kings and Lord of lords will appear about 2000 years after the birth of Jesus. Abraham paid tithes to this High Priest. This High Priest served Abraham the same elements that Jesus served the disciples at the Last Supper, bread and wine. The Melchizedekan priesthood is discussed in detail in chapter 7. If you are interested in knowing more about Melchizedekan. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; “He”: The subsequent context makes it clear that this refers back to Christ, the main subject in verse 5. In Gethsemane, Jesus agonized and wept, but committed Himself to do the Father’s will in accepting the cup of suffering which would bring His death (Matt. 26:38-46; Luke 22:44-45). Anticipating bearing the burden of judgment for sin, Jesus felt its fullest pain and grief (Isaiah 52:14; 53:3-5, 10). Though He bore the penalty in silence and did not seek to deliver Himself from it (Isa. 53:7), He did cry out from the agony of the fury of God’s wrath poured on His perfectly holy and obedient person (Matt. 27:46; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus asked to be saved from remaining in death, i.e., to be resurrected (Psalm 16:9-10). This is speaking of Jesus, who took on the form of flesh for His stay here on the earth. It was necessary that He be in the flesh of man, that He could be our substitute on the cross. The flesh of Jesus was from His mother Mary and was normal flesh as you and I have. The Spirit within the flesh was the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit had hovered over Mary [who was a virgin] and she conceived of the Holy Spirit of God. This Scripture above is speaking of the time when Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane with Peter, James, and John and prayed to His Father to let the cup pass from Him. Gethsemane means an oil press. The garden is full of olive trees. This press is used to make olive oil. Olive oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. I believe that Jesus Spirit was strong and ready to face this horrible death of the cross, but His body [flesh] was weak, and He came to the garden to pray to strengthen His body for this suffering. A few Scriptures pertaining to this: Matthew 26:39-42 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou [wilt]. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. We see from this, that the flesh of Jesus was not looking forward to this death. Here are two more Scriptures where Jesus accepts Gods will in this. John 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, [saying], I have both glorified [it], and will glorify [it] again. Hebrews 5:8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; “Learned obedience”: Christ did not need to suffer in order to conquer or correct any disobedience In His deity (as the Son of God), He understood obedience completely. As the incarnate Lord, He humbled Himself to learn (Luke 2:52). He learned obedience for the same reasons He bore temptation: to confirm His humanity and experience its sufferings to the fullest. Christ’s obedience was also necessary so that He could fulfill all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). And thus prove to be the perfect sacrifice to take the place of sinners (1 Pet. 3:18). He was the perfectly righteous One, who righteousness would be imputed to sinners (Rom 3:24-26). We are told that it is better to obey than to sacrifice in 1 Samuel 15:22: And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams. Jesus told Paul that He would show him what great things he must suffer. We, also, must face suffering if it comes, and be victorious over it, if we are to reign with Jesus Christ. He is our Leader, and if He suffered, we may have to, also. 2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: We are taught that tribulation comes to bring patience. Romans 5:3 And not only [so], but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; “Perfect … author of eternal salvation”: Because of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice for sin, He became the cause of salvation. “Obey him”: True salvation evidences itself in obedience to Christ, from the initial obedience to the gospel command to repent and believe (Acts 5:32; Rom. 1:5; 2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Pet. 1:2, 22; 4:17) to a life pattern of obedience to the Word (Rom. 6:16). We know that Jesus is the only one who ever lived on this earth completely free from sin. He took our sin on His own body that we might take on His righteousness. He is our Salvation. Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Just the name Jesus means Savior. He is the only way to heaven. Romans chapter 10 verse 9 tells us, if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus, we shall be saved. Another Scripture that says it all is 1 John 5:20: And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, [even] in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. __________________________________________________________ Hebrews 5:10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. Referring to Psalm 110:4 a second time (verse 6), the writer mentions again the call of God to the priesthood (verse 4). Melchisedec here and Melchizedek in the Old Testament is the same name. They are spelled differently because they were originally written in different languages. This Melchisedec has been a controversy for thousands of years. In the next few chapters here we will go into great detail about this. He appeared only one recorded time. His appearance was to the father of the believers [Abraham]. If we are the spiritual children of Abraham through faith, then we must believe the same thing he does. He believed that Melchizedek was divinely appointed High Priest, because he paid tithes to him. He was not of the Levitical tribe, because the Scriptures say he had no father or mother. He was a High Priest forever. Melchizedek fed the same elements to Abraham that Jesus fed the disciples [bread and wine]. The most interesting thing of all to me is that he appeared to Abraham about 2000 years after the birth of Adam. Jesus Christ appeared as the Babe in a manger about 2000 years after this happening and He [Jesus} will appear again about 2000 years after this babes birth as King of kings and Lord of lords. __________________________________________________________ Conclusion Rugged individualism is not the Christian way when it comes to spiritual matters. We all need someone to listen to us and to pray for us. This is partly why a specialized category of priests is valued in some branches of Christianity. But in the New Testament era we do not need this kind of priest to make intercession. We are all priests (1 Peter 2:9), and we all can pray for each other—something Paul asked his readers to do for him (see Ephesians 6:19). Even so, we ultimately and always rely on Jesus, our faithful and eternal high priest, to intercede for us at the very throne of God. _________________________________________________________ Prayer Father, thank You for sending Your Son to serve as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, to be the perfect and eternal high priest on our behalf. As we look to Him, may we never be tempted to go back to old ways. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 07:54:27 +0000
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