< Hebrews 5 >

Every high priest ordained by God,v.1Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:1 e.g. Aaron and Jesus, is appointed to make sacrifices for sins v.1Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:1 and he can have compassion on the wayward, being himself compassed with the infirmity of the flesh.v.2Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:2 The high priest therefore made sacrifices for sins, not only for other people, but also for himself.v.3Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:3 This applied also to Jesus for, even though he was personally sinless through a life of righteousness, he was a partaker of our sinful nature. No man can arrogate to himself the position of high priest but has to be appointed by God,v.5Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:5 so even Jesus was called to this position by God who said to him: “Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec”.v.6;Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4Waiting for response for Psalm 110:4

Jesus was compassed about with infirmity v.2Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:2 and in his suffering “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”.v.7Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:7 As God's son, Jesus "learned obedience to his Father by the things which he suffered” v.8.Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:8 As a result of his perfect obedience he was also made perfect in nature and “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him”.v.9Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:9

The apostle shows from verse 6 onwards and for the following few chapters that the priestly order of Melchizedek was higher than that of Aaron. Melchizedek was the priest to whom Abraham, the ancestor of Aaron, offered tithes, showing that Melchizedek was of higher status than both Abraham and Aaron.

The record in Genesis concerning Melchizedek is full of symbolic information and the apostle had much to say about him and Christ which the disciples found hard to receive.v.11Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:11 They were like babes in the truth who could only receive the milk of the word v.12Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:12 and his instruction here stresses the importance of studying the word of God. Everyone needs to learn the first principles of the truth, likened to milk, and then to mature and feed upon the meat of the word. Like adults, strong and of full age, they should then practise the commandments of God, having their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. vs.13-14.Waiting for response for Hebrews 5:13-14 Most people, unfortunately, do not study the word of God sufficiently even to learn the first principles of the truth, but those who do so grow in Christ and learn how to please God so they can look forward to receiving eternal life at Jesus’ return.