The Appointed High Priest: Perfected Through Obedient Suffering
Christ was appointed by God, learned obedience through suffering, and became the eternal High Priest who secures salvation for those who respond in obedient faith.
Hebrews 5:1-10 (BSB)
1 Every high priest is appointed from among men to represent them in matters relating to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and misguided, since he himself is subject to weakness.
3 That is why he is obligated to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people.
4 No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest, but He was called by the One who said to Him: “You are My Son; today I have become Your Father.”
6 And in another passage God says: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered.
9 And having been made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him
10 and was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
What is the big idea of Hebrews 5:1-10?
Christ was appointed by God, learned obedience through suffering, and became the eternal High Priest who secures salvation for those who respond in obedient faith.
How does Hebrews 5:1-10 point to Christ?
Jesus, appointed by the Father and perfected through suffering, is the eternal High Priest who secures salvation for all who trust and obey Him. Exell and Spurgeon are useful pastoral voices for calling sinners to trust the sympathetic and sufficient High Priest.
Authorial Intent
To show that Jesus fulfills and surpasses the qualifications of a true High Priest through divine appointment and obedient suffering.
Chapter: Hebrews 5
The Son Appointed High Priest and the Danger of Spiritual Immaturity
Jesus is the God-appointed high priest whose suffering obedience makes him the source of eternal salvation, but only mature hearers can receive the full weight of this priestly truth.