Hebrews 5:5-10
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”; 6as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” 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. 8Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered; 9and having been made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, 10having been designated by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
___________________________________
Let’s skip the confusing ancient history about the order of Melchizedek.
The real point here, I think, is that Jesus intercedes with God the Father for us, like the high priest was supposed to do for the people back in Jesus’ time. Jesus became fully human, and suffered through life like one of us, until he was called to his mission. And here is the mystery of our faith. Though fully human, Jesus was also God, and perfect. Not “a god”, but God. This suffering human, who was also God, was sent to save us by our faith in him.
Imagine yourself as a parent, concerned about a child’s struggles and perhaps misbehavior. You feel some disappointment at your child’s behavior. But there is a part of you that always loves your child, that kneels down and dries the child’s tears, that tells the child “be nice to your friends,” and makes it all better with hugs and love.
I sometimes think of God and Jesus like this, like two parts of myself. One part wants justice, and the other part wants mercy through love. Jesus is that part of God that is there to save us from ourselves through him and his love and mercy.
Prayer: “Merciful Savior, open our hearts to your love, strengthen our faith in you, and help us to live in your ways, until our eternal salvation comes.
—Max Fritzler