Monday 16 October 2017
- Bible Book:
- Hebrews
"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. Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered, and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek." (vv. 7-10)
Psalm: Psalm 104:1-23
Background
These verses are often interpreted as referring to Jesus'experience in the Garden of Gethsemane before his trial and death(Matthew 26:36-46). Jesus prays that he might bereleased from the cruel death he suspects awaits him. So the writerof Hebrews is convinced that Jesus Christ is our great high priestfor all eternity. This statement is made because the writer wantsto remind us that Jesus is close to God and designated by him as ahigh priest and one who can take us into the presence of God.
The writer also wants to remind the readers that although Jesusfollowing his death and resurrection now is seated 'at God's righthand' (Hebrews 1:3) he remains close to humanitybecause of the his experience of pain and sorrow, suffering yetwithout sin. Jesus knows what he knows because he has lived ourlife.
Melchizedek is mentioned twice in the Hebrew Bible (the OldTestament). The first occurs in at
To Ponder
- Do we ever need any help in order to approach God? Why?
- How does Jesus being God's son help us to know God better?
- To what extent does it help us to know that Jesus experiencedpain and distress like us?