In Hebrews 5, the author contrasts every other human high priest with Jesus. Each of them was weak and had to offer sacrifices for his own sins before offering sacrifices for the rest. Jesus needed to make no such sacrifice. We’re told Jesus learned His obedience through suffering. No one ever suffered as much as He had, and at each point He relied on His heavenly Father to bring Him through it. The chapter closes with a reminder not to fall away. We are told the readers are still “infants,” although by this time they ought to be mature.
As we move to Hebrews 6, the author tells his readers to move on from the “elementary teachings/principles” of our faith. He lists six elementary principles: 1) repentance from sin; 2) faith in God; 3) instructions about baptisms; 4) the laying on of hands; 5) the resurrection of the dead; and 6) eternal judgment. As we look at the six, two of them might surprise us a bit: instructions about baptisms (plural) and laying on of hands. The other four are definitely elementary and fundamental teachings/principles of our faith. These two are as well, because they establish the importance of baptism in water and baptism in the Holy Spirit, and the laying on of hands reminds us of the importance of this practice both when it comes to recognizing or commissioning leaders, and when we pray for others for healing. That they are included in the “elementary” aspects of our faith, shows us both they are building blocks for the deeper aspects, and we must continue to teach and live them as we mature. The words that follow these elementary teachings have caused much discussion and dissension. Those being that it is impossible for those who have received the word and fallen away to be restored. While they are true at some level, because they are part of scripture, most of the New Testament teaches about second chances. Peter comes to mind. He followed Jesus for three years and fell away in Jesus’ time of greatest need. When Jesus rose from the dead, He restored Peter. The truth of these words is we must do all we can to maintain our relationship with God and live in the power of the Holy Spirit, because “backsliding” leads to our ruin. The remainder of the chapter speaks of God’s faithfulness and introduces us to Melchizedek, who will be the focus of Hebrews 7.
In Hebrews 7, Jesus is compared to Melchizedek, who was greater than Abraham. The reasoning for Melchizedek being greater than Abraham is Abraham paid a tithe of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, and the lesser pays homage to the greater. The further point is made that Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, because He was of the line of Judah and not the line of Levi. At the end of the day, we see again Jesus is supreme over any other earthly priest, because He is both human and God’s son.
In Hebrews 8, the author summarizes everything he has written about Jesus as the high priest, and then emphasizes He is also the high priest of the new covenant. God had predicted the coming of a new covenant through the prophet Jeremiah, whom he quotes in this chapter. Now the new covenant has come, and it is as superior over the old covenant as Jesus is superior over the former high priests.
As we return to Luke 12, we could sum it up in two words: Be ready! Jesus focuses on the need to be ready to stand up for Him in the current age, and not to fear what others might do to us. He tells the disciples of the coming challenges, but He also offers promises of blessing to those who are found ready when their “Master” comes. As we read through the chapter, we see Jesus moves from topic to topic, but the common theme is readiness. Be ready!