Hebrews 5 continues to reveal the greatness of Jesus, particularly in His role as our high priest. The chapter helps us understand that Jesus is not only our Savior but also our mediator before God. He stands in a unique position—fully God and fully human—able to sympathize with our weaknesses and intercede for us in ways no earthly priest ever could. This truth is meant to deepen our trust in Him and encourage us to grow in faith rather than remain stagnant.
The chapter begins by explaining the role of a high priest. In ancient Israel, the high priest was chosen to represent the people before God, offering sacrifices for sins. The high priest was not perfect but was able to relate to the struggles and weaknesses of those he served. Because of this, he was required to offer sacrifices not just for the people but also for himself. This system was established to show that no one is above the need for mercy and atonement. It also pointed forward to the ultimate high priest—Jesus—who would fulfill this role in a perfect and eternal way.
Unlike the earthly high priests who were appointed by human traditions, Jesus was appointed directly by God. The writer of Hebrews quotes from the Psalms, saying, "You are my Son. Today I have become your father," and "You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek." This reference to Melchizedek is significant because Melchizedek was both a priest and a king, foreshadowing Jesus’ dual role. He was different from the Levitical priests because his priesthood was not based on ancestry or law but on God’s sovereign choice. In the same way, Jesus’ priesthood is eternal and superior, not dependent on human lineage but on divine authority.
One of the most striking parts of this chapter is how it describes Jesus' humanity. We sometimes focus so much on His divinity that we forget He experienced real pain, sorrow, and suffering. Hebrews reminds us that Jesus, "in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear," learned obedience through suffering. This does not mean Jesus was ever disobedient, but rather that through suffering, He fully experienced what it means to trust and obey God in the most difficult circumstances. His suffering was not meaningless; it was part of His mission to become the perfect source of eternal salvation for us.
This truth is incredibly comforting. When we go through hardships, we can remember that Jesus has walked the path of suffering before us. He knows what it is like to feel pain, to cry out to God in desperation, to experience rejection and sorrow. Because of this, we never suffer alone. He is not a distant, detached deity, but a Savior who has lived through human struggles and now stands as our advocate.
Hebrews 5 also challenges us to grow in spiritual maturity. The writer expresses frustration that some believers have become "dull of hearing" and remain like spiritual infants when they should be growing into maturity. He says, "For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need someone to teach you the rudiments of the first principles of God’s revelations. You have come to need milk, and not solid food." This imagery highlights the difference between a beginner’s understanding of faith and the deep wisdom that comes with spiritual growth. Just as infants start with milk before moving on to solid food, we are meant to develop beyond the basics of faith and gain a deeper understanding of God’s truth.
This warning is relevant to us today. It is easy to become comfortable with a shallow faith, content with knowing only the simplest aspects of Christianity. But faith is meant to grow. If we only remain at the level of basic knowledge, we risk becoming spiritually stagnant. The writer encourages us to seek maturity, to move beyond the elementary teachings and develop discernment—"those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil."
Spiritual maturity is not about knowing theological facts alone; it is about living a life that reflects the truth of Christ. When we grow in faith, we become more discerning, able to recognize truth from deception, and more equipped to handle the challenges of life with wisdom and perseverance. Maturity means that we take ownership of our faith, no longer depending solely on others to feed us spiritually, but seeking God’s word for ourselves and applying it to our lives.
Hebrews 5 ultimately calls us to recognize Jesus as our perfect high priest, to trust in Him completely, and to commit ourselves to spiritual growth. Jesus is not like the earthly high priests who needed to offer sacrifices for their own sins—He is sinless, eternal, and the true mediator between us and God. His suffering was not only for our salvation but also to show us what faithful obedience looks like, even in the hardest moments.
At the same time, we are reminded that faith is not meant to remain static. Just as we expect a child to grow and develop, God expects us to mature in our understanding and walk with Him. We are called to seek deeper wisdom, to move from milk to solid food, and to live with greater discernment. This is not just for our own benefit, but so that we can encourage and teach others, helping them to grow as well.
As we reflect on this chapter, we should ask ourselves: Are we growing in faith, or are we remaining spiritual infants? Do we seek deeper understanding of God’s truth, or are we content with only surface-level knowledge? Most importantly, do we trust in Jesus as our high priest, knowing that He understands our struggles and intercedes for us with love and compassion?
Hebrews 5 reminds us that Jesus is more than our Savior—He is our priest, our example, and our guide. He has walked the path of suffering before us, and He now invites us to grow, mature, and trust in the eternal salvation He has provided. Let us hold fast to Him, knowing that He is faithful and that through Him, we have the strength to move forward in faith.