Hebrews 5:1–2

Memory Verse

For every high priest is taken out from man on behalf of man, he is appointed to the things facing God in order that to offer both gifts and sacrifices on behalf of sins, being able to deal moderately with those who are ignorant and have gone astray, since also he himself is surrounded by weakness, Hebrews 5:1–2.

Every high priest is from men for the sake of men. If a high priest were not from men, he would not be able to understand the plight of mankind nor the struggle they have with weakness.

Since the high priest is also surrounded by his own weakness, he is able to deal moderately with those who are ignorant and have gone astray. However, due to his own weakness, he must offer sacrifice not only for the sins of the people, but his own (Hebrews 5:3).

The position of being a high priest is not an honor that men take for themselves, as those out from false religions seek to make a claim through works of their flesh. A high priest to the One true God is called by God, just as Aaron was (Hebrews 5:4). In Numbers 17:5, God caused the rod of Aaron to bud, showing that He chose Aaron’s line out from the twelve tribes to be priests. No other line from Israel could hold this position according to the Levitical priestly order.

The grace believer is not under the Mosaic law, nor the Levitical priesthood, for they follow after the Melchizedek order, of which Christ is the High Priest into the age (Hebrews 5:6). Unlike Israel, who had a priesthood, all those in the Church are priests, set apart unto God to proclaim His praises (1 Peter 2:9).