Hebrews 5

Scripture

 

Vs 2 (The chief priest) can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.

 

Vs 7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death

Vs 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Vs 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him

 

12 … you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.

14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

 

Observation

 

The author is describing the difference between the human chief priest and the greater chief priest … Jesus.

The human priest is sinful and weak … like everyone else.

Jesus, the priest, is perfect. Therefore able to be the source of salvation for everyone else.

 

There was a way Jesus lived while here, “in the flesh” … Perfect.

He prayed. He experienced pain.

And He did so with perfection.

 

There is a way I am now to respond … Mature.

“Dealing gently with the ignorant” … because I am “weak”.

Yet, growing in maturity … because I understand the principles of God and can discernment and practice good.

 

Application

 

Lot’s of “P’s” stand out to me in this chapter about the “Priest”.

3 “P’s about Jesus & 3 “P’s” about me.

 

Jesus “offered up” in His life:

Prayer – “supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death”

Pain – “He learned obedience through what he suffered”

Perfection – “being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”

 

Therefore, if I understand those “basic Principles of the oracles of God” (another “P”), I will now live in:

Posture of gentleness – “deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness”

Power of discernment – “powers of discernment trained”

Practice of good – “constant practice to distinguish good from evil”

 

I will not grasp any of this, however, if I am “unskilled in the word of righteousness”.

If I lack an understanding of the word, then I am “a child”, (vs 13)

 

I can know and understand from the word, that Jesus offers me HIS Prayer, endured HIS Pain, and grants HIS Perfection.

When I embrace these truths, I can, in all confidence, and strength, and with maturity, deal gently with the wayward, wisely discern, and constantly practice the good.

 

Prayer

 

Thanks you, God, again for your word

Help me Spirit to hear it and read it and understand it

Show me where I need to live it today and always

Forgive me when I fail in my weakness

In Jesus name

Amen