Having already introduced the perfect High Priesthood of Jesus Christ, over the house of God, the Hebrew writer has set out to illustrate its superiority to that of the Aaronic order.
    The Christ of God became incarnate. He assumed our nature and made atonement for our sins by the sacrifice of Himself. He did this that both our persons and prayers might, through Him, be made acceptable to God.
    In His state of humiliation, Jesus experienced every temptation, trial and infirmity that is the common lot of humanity, and without sin. He faced this WILLINGLY that He might manifest the greatest possible compassion and forbearance toward us ignorant and wandering sinners. Having no sin of His own, there was no occasion for Him, like Aaron, to offer up a sacrifice for Himself; only to offer FOR THE PEOPLE.
    During the period of His sojourn on earth, our Lord did not ASSUME FOR HIMSELF the honor of the High Priestly office. Rather, this honor was bestowed upon Him by God, the Father, who said unto Him: "Thou

    What a thrill it was last Sunday morning to see Sister Beth (Hodges) Dishno publicly profess her faith in Jesus and ask to follow the Lord in baptism. May He richly bless her life and witness and our fellowship together!
art MY SON, today have I BEGOTTEN THEE!" (vs. 5b; Psa. 2:7; comp. Jn. 8:54; Heb. 1:1-5). From all eternity He HAD BEEN the eternal Son of the eternal Father, (Jn. 1:1-2, 14). In connection with His physical birth, as the Son of Man, the angel announced this eternal relationship, (Lk. 1:30-33). At His baptism, where He was anointed for His sacrificial ministry, the Father openly and audibly acknowledged this sonship, (Matt. 3:16- 17). And by His resurrection from the dead, He was declared to be "the Son of God WITH POWER" - the power of an endless life! (Acts 13:33- 36; Rom. 1:1-5; Heb. 7:16).


    In a most solemn manner this eternal, incarnate, crucified, risen, atoning and interceding Son of God is declared to be "a Priest FOREVER after the order of Melchizedek", and NOT after the inferior order of the Aaronic priesthood

- grand and essential as His priesthood was for the time, (Psa. 110:1-4; Heb. 7:17). Aaron was not only CALLED OF GOD; he was confirmed as God's chosen servant by a miracle of divine power. When Korah, Dathan and Abiram questioned his authority and office (Num. 16:1-3), the ground opened beneath them and' their families - swallowing them up alive. A fire from God CONSUNED those who followed them. And God confirmed Aaron's appointment to the high priesthood by making his rod, a piece of dead wood, to come to life, bud, blossom and bear almonds, (Num. 17).
    Our Lord was also CALLED OF GOD to be a High Priest. In like manner was His appointment confirmed by a miracle of NEW LIFE. His dead body, wrapped in burial clothes and entombed for three days, was given life by the power of God. Now, He EVER LIVES to make priestly intercession for His people, through the merits of His own sacrificial

blood. A WOE is, therefore, upon anyone who questions His divine appointment, or fails to trust in His completed work of redemption.
    Such "gainsaying", as that of Korah, is still a PRESENT DANGER. The Hebrews were, thus, urged to place their full confidence in Jesus Christ as God's own, divinely- appointed High Priest - the One Who is all-sufficient and everlasting. The need is just as great today.
    Two peculiar characteristics of this Melchisedec priesthood are worthy of special note. 1) He was without predecessor or successor in the priestly office; this is the meaning of Hebrews 7:1-3. 2) He was both King and Priest - something that was forbidden under the Aaronic order.


    When our Lord walked the earth, as a man among men, He was weighted down by the infirmities of our human nature and overwhelmed by the pressures of divine responsibility. Note Paul's words, (vs. 7): "Who in the days of his flesh", (Rom. 8:3; Gal. 4:4-5; Matt. 8:20; 2 Cor. 8:9) "offered up prayers and supplications" (Matt. 26:39, 42, 44; Lk. 22:41-44), "with strong crying and tears" (Matt. 27:46, 50; Mk. 15:37; Lk. 23:46). We can never fully appreciate the meaning of these words unless deeply conscious that this agonizing was under the weight of OUR SINS!
    Note that this crying was "unto him that was able to save him from (out of) death". The Father COULD

have delivered Him by twelve legions of angels! (Matt. 26:53) But that would not have been consistent with His purpose as set forth in the Scriptures, (Matt. 26:54). Yet, our Lord DID NOT ASK to be DELIVERED - so as to escape death! That which (in prospect) appeared so repulsive to his sensitive nature was that of "being MADE SIN" - of becoming so contaminated, by the filth of our corruption. that the Father's face. would temporarily be hidden - so that He-would have to die FORSAKEN and ALONE!
    Nevertheless, we hear His heart-cry from Gethsemane: "NOT MY WILL, BUT YOUR WILL BE DONE!" Self-willed people may boast of their STRENGTH OF WILL: ("I'm stubborn; I stand up for MY rights! No one is going to get by telling ME what I HAVE TO DO!" etc.). But, such an attitude is something of which ANY Christian OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED! (I Sam. 15:22-23). To be self-willed is contrary to "the spirit of Christ", (Jn. 4:34; 5:30; 6:38-40; 7:17). And Paul assures us that whoever "has not the SPIRIT OF CHRIST is NONE OF HIS!" (Rom. 8:9).
    If YOU do not have Christ's ATTITUDE: toward the Father, toward your brethren., toward the church of which you profess to be a member and toward perishing souls; then you REALLY are NOT. A PART OF HIS BODY! You do not. BELONG TO HIM, in that sense, however bold a front you may put on! Nor do I offer that as my own "humble opinion". I submit it with all the boldness and emphasis that I can muster, as the VERY WORD OF GOD - the Word that is FOREVER SETTLED IN HEAVEN,

and by which each of us will be judged, without respect of persons, IN THE LAST DAY!


    The Heavenly Father heard the cries of His loving, submissive and obedient Son Who constantly waited upon Him in reverential trust! At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus expressed His perfect confidence: "Father, I thank Thee that Thou hast heard me. And I know that thou HEAREST ME ALWAYS!" (Jn. 11:41-42). Thus, the Father not only brings forth His beloved Son as VICTOR over death, hell and the grave; He gives Him a "Name which is ABOVE EVERY NAME"! He is, furthermore, granted such universal authority as requires that:
    1) "Every knee shall bow" In submission to his universal and eternal authority.
    2)
"Every tongue shall confess" that He is the one ANOINTED OF GOD to be King of kings, Lord of lords and Ruler of the whole earth!
    Apart from trust In Him, and submission TO His lordship, NO ONE will be accepted of the Father. Self-willed people may attempt to climb up some other way - a way of their own devising; but He will say to them: "Depart from me! I NEVER KNEW YOU!"


    Acting on "emotion" and "sentiment", some may suggest that such a concept is heretical, but, in so doing they set themselves in OPPOSITION to the inspired Word of God. Though Jesus Christ was

truly the Son of God, He LEARNED (experientially) the HIGH COST OF OBEDIENCE by the things which He SUFFERED! (vs. 8; comp. Heb. 2:10). Thus, He fully understands the difficulties and distresses that we face; HE HAS BEEN THERE! He is able to SYMPATHIZE with our weakness because HE HAS SHARED IT! And since He has faced every trial and difficulty that we can EVER FACE (and done it with faith, patience, self- denial, resignation, humility and readiness of mind), He is both ABLE and READY to assist us when, in faith, and with loving, trusting, obedient and submissive hearts, we BRING OUR NEEDS TO HIM! And He is perfectly fitted to MEET our needs.
    "And being MADE PERFECT, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that" -- WHAT???

To them that: Demand their rights? Insist on justice? Prove their own merits? Formally unite themselves with a church that is "getting the job done"? NO! a thousand times, NO! NO!! NO!!! But, unto them that


    There are a number of basic things in the kind of obedience that God requires of those who desire to walk with Him.
    1. REPENTANCE from sin and sinning, (Acts 17:30-31).
    2. FAITH in Jesus Christ as a personal Saviour and Sin-bearer, (Acts 16:30-31; 10:43).
    3. COMMITTMENT to, and identification with, Jesus Christ in scriptural baptism, (Acts 2:37-38; Gal. 3:26-27).
    4. Participation in the life and fellowship of a New Testament church - which is Christ's BODY, and the instrument through which He is developing a kingdom-people and carrying out His purpose in this age.
    5. A daily CONFESSION OF SIN and crucifixion of self - to walk in the light of the Lord.
    6. A feeding on the WORD OF GOD and constant seeking after His will - to the end that we may DO it.
    7. An ear that is attentive to His voice, and a humble heart that is loyal and ever ready to move at His command.
    8. In ESSENCE, this involves a WORKING OUT of our salvation "with fear and trembling" - knowing that God is working within us "both TO WILL and TO DO" of His own good pleasure.