Jesus the High Priest

Jerry Mongello teaches on Hebrews Chapter 5 – Part One

[Hebrews 4:11-16 NKJV] 11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. We have covered this in previous chapters concerning the 10 spies who convinced Israel not to enter the Land of Promise!!! The land which is still being fought for today.

[Hebrews 4:12] For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Is it not ironic that the very thing which gives life, has power to save, discerns our thoughts, exposes the intent of the hearts and changes lives is the one thing that the majority of pulpits in America don’t want to preach!!!

[Hebrews 4:13] And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things [are] naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we [must give] account. 

[Hebrews 4:14-16] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus’ death and resurrection tore in two the Holy of Holies curtain that now permits us to approach the throne room of God the throne of grace!!! 

Throughout the last four chapters of the book of Hebrews, the Holy Spirit through Paul has been making a case establishing the difference between Jesus vs angels, Jesus vs the prophets. Jesus being made a little lower than the angel, then rises above them in power, glory and majesty. If disobedience to the word of God spoken by the angels and prophets renders it’s just reward, how much more should heed the word of God given by the God/Man the Son of God Jesus!!! In chapter 5 the Holy Spirit is comparing the man high priest to the God/Man High Priest

[Hebrews 5:1-2 NKJV] 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things [pertaining] to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness.

Not only was the high priest a man, he was subject to the same weaknesses [sin] just like the people he ministered too. Like the legalists of today instead of having compassion on sinners, they were judgmental and condemning. In the Church today we have legalists who are judgmental and condemning of sinners, instead of being loving and on the other hand we also have those Churches who accept, condone and affirm sin.  

[Galatians 6:1-3 NKJV] 1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who [are] spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 

[Titus 3:3-7 NKJV] 3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Just like the man high priest Jesus the God/Man High Priest also suffered with the same weakness of temptation, but was without sin.

[Hebrews 2:14-18 NKJV] 14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like [His] brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things [pertaining] to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

[Hebrews 4:15 NKJV] 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin.

[Hebrews 5:3-4 NKJV] 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer [sacrifices] for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron [was].

So before the high priest from the sons of Aaron could sacrifice for the sins of others they needed to sacrifice their own sins. 

[Leviticus 9:6-8 NKJV] 6 Then Moses said, “This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded you to do, and the glory of the LORD will appear to you.” 7 And Moses said to Aaron, “Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the LORD commanded.” 8 Aaron therefore went to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which [was] for himself.

Back to comparing the man high priest from the sons of Aaron to the God/Man High Priest as we noted in Leviticus the high priest from the sons of Aaron needed to offer a sin offering each time they ministered and sacrifice for the sins of Israel. Jesus on the other hand sacrificed once for all sins!!! The sacrifice He made was once and for all with His own blood that took away our sins’ past, present and future, not the blood of lambs, bulls and goats that could only cover sin.

[Hebrews 10:5-13 NKJV] 5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 6 In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin You had no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come–In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God.’ ” 8 Previously saying, “Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and [offerings] for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure [in them]” (which are offered according to the law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. 11 And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, 13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. 

[2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV] 21 For He made Him who knew no sin [to be] sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

[Hebrews 5:5-6 NKJV] 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but [it was] He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As [He] also says in another [place]: “You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”;

Melchizedek is an interesting person in the Bible, prior to Hebrews he is mentioned only two times. Meets Abram after the war with the five kings who attacked Sodom and captured Lot in Genesis 14. 

Some consider Melchizedek a Christophany, I don’t. In Hebrews 7 the Holy Spirit clearly indicates that Melchizedek is made like the Son of God and is a priest continually. Melchizedek is a picture of Christ, not Christ!!!

Melchizedek’s name means king of righteousness and he was the king of Salem which would make him the king of peace.

[Genesis 14:18-20 NKJV] 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he [was] the priest of God Most High. 19 And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; 20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.

The first mention of bread and wine which is a first picture communion.

Melchizedek was a Priest of the God Most High continually even before the Leviticus priesthood of Aaron was ever established in Exodus.

[Exodus 28:1 NKJV] 1 “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron [and] Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

The other difference between the priesthood of the sons Aaron vs Priesthood of the Son of God {Jesus} is that the priesthood ship of the Leviticus line [Aaron] ceased at their death, where they chose a new high priest from the sons of Aaron. Jesus’s Priesthood is forever. 

Melchizedek who was both king and priest, so is Jesus our King and Priest forever!!! Explain

[Psalm 110:1-7 NKJV] 1 A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” 2 The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies! 3 Your people [shall be] volunteers In the day of Your power; In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning, You have the dew of Your youth. 4 The LORD has sworn And will not relent, “You [are] a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” 5 The Lord [is] at Your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. 6 He shall judge among the nations, He shall fill [the places] with dead bodies, He shall execute the heads of many countries. 7 He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore He shall lift up the head.

The other difference is Aaron comes from the tribe Levi, which God declared the priestly line. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah the Kingly line.

[Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV] 6 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

[Revelation 19:11-21 NKJV] 11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes [were] like a flame of fire, and on His head [were] many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He [was] clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on [His] robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. 17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, “Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, 18 “that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all [people], free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. 20 Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the rest were killed with the sword which proceeded from the mouth of Him who sat on the horse. And all the birds were filled with their flesh.