Hebrews 5:5-10

”Jesus our High Priest.”

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, Oh Lord, Our King, Our Strength and Our Redeemer! AMEN.

In our Lentern Talks we have covered and continue to cover aspects in the gospels of Christ's sacrifice, made before the founding of the world. I thought therefore that on this occasion it would be good to look at our Saviour Jesus as documented in the book of Hebrews.

Some believe that this book was written by Paul since it's the third of a trilogy of books in the New Testament on the subject – “The just shall live by faith”. Others are reluctant to ascribe a writer since the book itself does not name it's author.

The text we heard today was from Chapter 5 of Hebrews, verses 5-10 and shows us what Jesus did for us and the suffering that he undertook for our sakes.

On that note you will remember that the scripture said - “Christ did not glorify Himself in becoming a High Priest”. Jesus came to glorify the Father and that's what He did.

He pointed His listeners towards the one who sent Him and always as “Father”. Prior to Jesus Christ the Israelites knew God as Lord and Most High but not intimately as Father. In fact they even avoided using the personal name of God, “Yahweh”, for fear of using it wrongly!

But this God now revealed himself as Father through Jesus whom He appointed a High Priest. The High Priest of our confession.

Jesus the only begotten of the Father, appointed a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.

This is an important point regarding Jesus' priesthood. Under the Old Covenant the Kings and Priests were separated in two different tribes, Judah and Levi. In Jesus as in Melchizedek the two roles are combined in one man! Jesus has both Kingly power and Priestly authority.

While on earth though Jesus set the perfect example for us.

He lived a fully human existence and had the same physical weaknesses as we do.

When He was facing a hard trial He had to draw close to God with prayer and humble petitions. Through this He learned what was required for answered prayer and His prayers were indeed answered. Because of His reverent attitude His prayers were always heard and as we let Jesus live through us we will grow closer to God in humility and faith and see more of our prayers answered as well.

Jesus was of course perfect as a Spirit Being before His incarnation. But then as a fully human being He learned to live a perfect life and did this uniquely as the only man never to sin!

He was obedient even to death on the cross when His Father told Him there was no other way to effect our rescue and salvation.

Because of this He is now the source of everlasting life to all who call on His name.

This is our perfect High Priest - after the order of Melchizedek

As Paul told the Philippian jailer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household!”

As followers of Jesus we are guided by Holy Spirit and obedient to all He tells us from Jesus' heart. Because of this our eternal salvation is secure in our High Priest Jesus the Christ who has all power and all authority.

That is what the Grace of our Lord Jesus has provided for us through His passion

As a believer, no one can take that away from you.!

And so....I close this sermon with the grace.

“May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy spirit, be with us and remain with us all, now and forever.

AMEN.

Janetta.