Jesus Is Our High Priest

Sermon Text:
Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Excerpt:
Keeping in mind that the original readers of Hebrews were tempted to leave Christ and return to Judaism helps us understand why the Preacher here begins a long section focused on the High Priesthood of Christ. He is challenging another major pillar of Judaism: Aaron and the Levitical Priesthood. From 5:1 through 10:18 the Preacher is demonstrating the many ways that the High Priesthood of Jesus is superior to the High Priesthood of the Levitical system. The challenge to his audience was this, “Why would you go back to the inferior Levitical Priesthood and not continue to trust Jesus Christ your great High Priest?” (Read Hebrews 4:14-5:10) In 5:1-4, the Preacher outlines four basic principles related to the office of high priest as stipulated in the Law of Moses.