Hebrew 4:14-5:10

The author first mentioned the theme of Jesus as High Priest in:

Hebrews 2:17-18
For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Some have argued that, even though Christ was tempted, He, since He was God, COULD NOT have sinned. This however seems to speak against the genuineness of the temptation and the true humanity of Christ. Besides, there are numerous things God CANNOT do that Jesus WAS susceptible to.

God is not susceptible to certain things
1. God CANNOT be tempted (James 1:13)
2. God CANNOT grow weary (Isaiah 40:28)
3. God CANNOT die (Genesis 21:23)
4. God CANNOT sin (Deuteronomy 32:4)

Jesus on the other hand was susceptible to such things:
1. Jesus WAS susceptible to temptation (Hebrews 4:15)
2. Jesus WAS susceptible to weariness (Matt. 8:20)
3. Jesus WAS susceptible to death (Luke 23:46)
4. Jesus WAS, therefore, susceptible to sin
* And yet was without sin despite true temptation and true susceptibility

Next, the author builds an argument on that topic. It may have been the case that Judaizers were claiming that Christianity was an insufficient religion due to its lack of a high priest. Hebrews responds to such an accusation by:

1. Stating Christ's qualifications as High Priest
2. Hinting toward the disqualification of Jewish priests
3. Referring to the eternal priesthood of Melchizedek

The Qualifications of Jesus for the role of High Priest
1. He has gone through the heavens (4:14)
2. He is the Son of God (4:14)
3. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses (4:15)
4. He has been tempted in every way (4:15)
5. He is without sin (4:15)
6. He was called by God to fulfill such a role (5:5-6, 10)
7. He offered up prayers/petitions and was heard (5:7)
8. He learned obedience from what he suffered (5:8)
9. He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him (5:9)

Hinting Toward the Disqualification of Jewish Priests
1. They are not as fit for the role since they have to offer sacrifices for their own sins (5:3)
2. The priesthood in Jesus' day was no longer Aaronic (5:4)
3. The best high priest ever was Melchizedek, not the Aaronic or Levitical priesthood (5:6)

The Eternal Priesthood of Melchizedek
* To be discussed in section on Hebrews 6:13-7

Verses 6-10 Make the argument for Christ being a BETTER High Priest
Jesus is High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (6)
1. Verse 7 probably refers to Gethsemane
---Either He was saved 'through' death on the cross
---Or He was delivered from pre-mature death in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:38)
2. Verse 8 shows that tested innocense makes one a more sympathizing High Priest
---Adam & Eve had innocense in Eden, but un-tested.
---Heaven will be filled with those whoo have tested innocense.
3. Verse 9 shows that Jesus' humanity made him perfect for role as Savior
---This salvation is designated to all who obey him
Jesus is High Priest in the order of Melchizedek (10)