Hebrews 5:1-10 (NRSV)
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Chapter 5Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. Verse 2He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; Verse 3and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. Verse 4And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was. Verse 5So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him, "You are my Son, today I have begotten you"; Verse 6as he says also in another place, "You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek." Verse 7In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Verse 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; Verse 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him,
Verse 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Devotion
We know that we are not to look to ourselves for examples of what a perfect or renewed relationship with God should look like. When we do this, we tend to see our relationship with God in the same way that we see our relationships with other people—seeing only the brokenness and the ways those relationships fall short. Instead of looking to ourselves, we are called to look to Jesus—the only person who has ever had a perfect relationship with God.
What does Jesus' relationship with God look like? Jesus' relationship with God is defined by perfect obedience and perfect trust. Since this relationship is the model for our relationship with God, Jesus also empowers us, through the Holy Spirit, to become obedient to and trusting of God.
Prayer
Everlasting God, you brought Jesus into the world to be the model for us of what a relationship with you should look like. Help us, through your Holy Spirit, to follow the example of Jesus and to enjoy a relationship with you in which we have faith in you and do the work you call us to do in response to your grace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.