A better way to draw near
Hebrews 5 reveals how God provided a way for sinful people to approach Him through the priesthood, while ultimately pointing to Jesus as the perfect and eternal High Priest. His finished work accomplishes permanently what the old covenant sacrifices could only foreshadow.
Reason for sacrifices
- Holiness of God.
- The weight of sin.
The path to maturity
- God made a way for broken people to draw near.
- God’s holiness requires that sin be addressed.
- The sacrificial system demonstrated both God’s justice and His mercy.
- Jesus made permanent what priests could only provide temporarily.
- Earthly priests continually offered sacrifices that could never fully remove sin.
- Jesus became the perfect High Priest whose sacrifice was complete and sufficient forever.
- Healthy faith must keep growing.
- Spiritual maturity is the expected result of following Christ.
- Believers should continually grow in understanding, obedience and discernment.
We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.
Tim Keller
Insight
- God’s invitation to draw near is possible because He graciously provided the means for sinners to approach His holy presence.
- Jesus’ perfect priesthood fully accomplished what the old covenant sacrifices could only point toward.
- Genuine faith continues to mature through growing knowledge, obedience and trust in Christ.