Christ’s High Priesthood—SUPERIOR TO AARON—Must be Man—mUST have been appointed by God—Their Low Spiritual Perceptions prevents Paul saying all he might on Christ’s Melchisedec-like Priesthood. Heb. 5:1-14. The consequences of this discharge of his office, v. 8, 9,
- “Though He were a Son, ch. 1:5, 8; 3:6, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered” (v. 8), 10:5–9, Is. 50:5, 6, Mat. 3:15, Jno. 4:34; 6:38; 15:10, Phi. 2:8. Jesus had a Divine commission; He was appointed by the Father because He was the Son; and thus He was possessed of all requisite qualifications for His office. Nevertheless the Son had to ‘learn obedience.’ The bond of brotherhood Heb. 2:17, the identity of suffering and sorrow, fitted Him to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He suffered, that He might be in a position to succor them that are tempted Heb. 2:18; He was made in all respects like us, with the single exception of personal sinfulness Heb. 4:15; and He learned obedience by what He suffered. The design of all this was, that He might be a compassionate and sympathizing High Priest” (Prof. Smeaton).
- “By these his sufferings he learned obedience, though he was a Son, v. 8. The privilege of Christ: He was a Son; the only-begotten of the Father. One would have thought this might have exempted him from suffering, but it did not. Let none then who are the children of God by adoption expect an absolute freedom from suffering. What Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?” Here he has left us an example, that we should learn by all our afflictions a humble obedience to the will of God. We need affliction, to teach us submission” M. Henry Some of the most valuable lessons of obedience are learned in the furnace of affliction; and many of the most submissive children of the Almighty have been made so as the result of protracted woes.
- And being made perfect. ch. 2:10; 11:40, Dan. 9:24, Lk. 13:32, Jn. 19:30. That is, being made a complete Saviour—a Saviour fitted in all respects to redeem men. “Christ by his sufferings was consecrated to his office, consecrated by his own blood. [2.] By his sufferings he consummated that part of his office which was to be performed on earth, making reconciliation for iniquity; and in this sense he is said to be made perfect, a perfect propitiation. [3.] Hereby he has become the author of eternal salvation to men; he has by his sufferings purchased a full deliverance from sin and misery, and a full fruition of holiness and happiness for his people.” M. Henry
- He became the author ch. 12:2, Ps. 68:18–20, Is. 45:22; 49:6, Act. 3:15; 4:12. That is, he was the procuring cause of salvation. It is to be traced wholly to his sufferings and death; 2Thess. 2:16, 2Tim. 2:10, 1Jn. 5:20, Jude 21.
- Unto all them that obey him. Is. 50:10; 55:3, Matt. 7:24–27; 17:5, Act. 5:32, Rom. 1:5; 2:8; 6:17, 2Thess. 1:8, 1Pet. 1:22. “This salvation is bestowed on none but those who obey Christ. It is not sufficient that we have some doctrinal knowledge of Christ, or that we make a profession of faith in him, but we must hearken to his word, and obey him. Those who obey him, devoting themselves to him, denying themselves, and taking up their cross, and following him, he will be the author—the grand cause of their salvation, and they shall own him as such forever.” M. Henry
