SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 5
BIBLE VERSES:
“Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:8-10)
“Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” (Hebrews 5:13-14)
Every high priest is being selected and appointed to represent men in matter related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins (vs. 1-2). Jesus was obedient unto death to become the source of eternal salvation to those who believe in Him. Jesus was appointed by God to be the Jewish High Priest and to be our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. He is ministering for us in heaven now.
WARNING AGAINST FALLING AWAY (vs. 11-14)
The milk of the Word represents the elementary truths of Christian life. We need to grow by partaking solid food that teaches righteousness and discernment from good and evil.
THOUGHTS:
COMPARISON BETWEEN EARTHLY PRIESTHOOD OF AARON WITH CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD:
- Aaron is a man that belonged to the tribe of Levi. / Christ is God from the tribe of Judah that belonged to Melchizedek. Melchizedek means “King of righteousness”. He was also a priest in Salem which means “King of Peace”. Therefore, Jesus is both Priest and King.
- Aaron was priest over earthly household. He died and had to be replaced. / Christ is Priest over heavenly people and he will never die. So His priesthood is forever.
- Aaron was a man and he knew personally the weaknesses of people. He too experienced some trials and sufferings. / Christ is the Son of God who knows our trials better than man because he was tasted to the full by the temptation that Satan offered. He went beyond any mortal man can endure.
Every believer needs milk and solid food to grow. Milk represents the basic principles of Christian life. Meat represents deeper knowledge of Christ, his mission and the habit to practise the Words of God. Many people are saved but remain immature because they had drifted from the Word and doubted the Word. They did not practise the Word in their daily lives making them ineffective in spiritual lives. Let us grow in the knowledge of God by daily devotion of reading God’s word and prayer. Let us not remain as a babe living on milk alone but become mature by feeding of the meat of the word and practising it.