Hebrews 5:1 For every cohen gadol taken from among men is appointed to act on people’s behalf with regard to things concerning God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and with those who go astray, since he too is subject to weakness. 3 Also, because of this weakness, he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor upon himself, rather, he is called by God, just as Aharon was.
5 So neither did the Messiah glorify himself to become cohen gadol; rather, it was the One who said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”[Hebrews 5:5 Psalm 2:7]
6 Also, he says in another place,
“You are a cohen forever,
to be compared with Malki-Tzedek.”[Hebrews 5:6 Psalm 110:4]
7 During Yeshua’s life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions, crying aloud and shedding tears, to the One who had the power to deliver him from death; and he was heard because of his godliness. 8 Even though he was the Son, he learned obedience through his sufferings. 9 And after he had been brought to the goal, he became the source of eternal deliverance to all who obey him, 10 since he had been proclaimed by God as a cohen gadol to be compared with Malki-Tzedek. (Complete Jewish Binle)
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We know that we are not to look to ourselves for examples of what a perfect or renewed relationship with God should look like. When we do this, we tend to see our relationship with God in the same way that we see our relationships with other people--seeing only the brokenness and the ways those relationships fall short. Instead of looking to ourselves, we are called to look to Jesus--the only person who has ever had a perfect relationship with God.
What does Jesus' relationship with God look like? Jesus' relationship with God is defined by perfect obedience and perfect trust. Since this relationship is the model for our relationship with God, Jesus also empowers us, through the Holy Spirit, to become obedient to and trusting of God.
Everlasting God, you brought Jesus into the world to be the model for us of what a relationship with you should look like. Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to follow the example of Jesus and to enjoy a relationship with you in which we have faith in you and do the work you call us to do in response to your grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Josh Schunk, '04
Pastor, Zion Lutheran Church, Oelwein, Iowa
Hebrews 5:1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.2 He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness;
3 and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people.
4 And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you";
6 as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek."
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.
8 Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered;
9 and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
10 having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (New Revised Standard Version).
THE LUTHER SEMINARY ®
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
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