Monday 17 January 2011

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 Genesis 14:18-20 where Abraham's transferof goods to Melchizedek is seen to imply that Melchizedek issuperior to Abraham, in that Abraham is tithing to him. The secondis in Psalm 110:4, in celebrating some victory orconquest of an unnamed king of the Davidic dynasty, the king issaid to be "a priest forever" and a successor of Melchizedek. Thewriter here is claiming that Jesus is high priest forever andreplaces the need for worship in the temple inJerusalem. 

To Ponder

Do we ever need any help in order to approachGod? Why?

How does Jesus being God's son help us to knowGod better?

To what extent does it help us to know that Jesusexperienced pain and distress like us?