Reading and Reflection

Christ is gentle and humble

Reading Hebrews 5:1-10

1Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4And no-one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

‘You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.’

6And he says in another place,

‘You are a priest for ever,

in the order of Melchizedek.’

7During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Reflection:   In this chapter the author continues his reflections on Jesus as the Great High Priest. He is uniquely himself, rather than standing in the succession of priests descending from Aaron (verse 10); and unlike other high priests, he did not have to offer a sacrifice for his own sins (verse 3).

In one area, though, he is like other priests: he is 'able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes' (verse 2). This is a pattern for those who undertake ministry today. Pastors who are harsh and demanding with their congregations are not being Christ-like; all too often they are working out personal issues at the expense of their people, and such ministries often don't end well. Even when they might be judged by the world as 'successful' – lots of people attending, lots of money raised – they are lacking something of the spirit of Christ. In Matthew 11.29 Jesus says he is 'gentle and humble in spirit', and this is the pattern for his followers today.

We also pattern ourselves on his costly obedience to his Father: 'even though he was God's Son, he learnt through his sufferings to be obedient' (verse 8). His sonship did not preserve him from suffering, but it trained him in faithfulness. The hard times we are facing now will test us all, but Christians may find our faith grows stronger and deeper because of them – and we too might become a blessing to others.

This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor