Hebrews 5 & 6: Appointed to Intercede

Scripture Focus:

“And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.”
— Hebrews 5:4 (ESV)

Reflection:

Hebrews 5 opens with a powerful truth: priests are not self-appointed—they are chosen by God. This divine appointment came with a solemn responsibility: to represent the people before God, offering sacrifices and interceding on their behalf.

So what does that mean for us today?

We have a High Priest—Jesus Christ—who showed us what true priesthood looks like. Hebrews 5:7 gives us a glimpse:

“In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears…”

This is not just cultural—this is heavenly priesthood. Jesus cried out in intercession, not casually, but with intensity, passion, and brokenness. And as priests under His order, we are called to do the same.

The Order of Melchizedek: A New Kind of Priesthood

Jesus is not a priest in the line of Aaron, but in the order of Melchizedek—a priesthood not based on lineage, but on divine appointment and eternal identity.

Melchizedek, both priest and king, foreshadowed Christ. Now, through Jesus, we have been restored to our original identity—image bearers who carry both authority and intimacy with God. This is not an earthly calling, but a heavenly priesthood, rooted in Christ.

The Call to Grow and Persevere

Hebrews 6 continues with a sobering call: don’t remain immature.
The author warns that it's possible to have tasted the Spirit, experienced the power of God, and still fall away if we don't press on.

He lists six foundational doctrines (Hebrews 6:1–2), but urges believers to go beyond them. We must grow, mature, and imitate those who have gone before us—not just Moses, but Jesus Himself, the forerunner and faithful priest of our confession.

Intercession: Our Priesthood in Action

What marked Jesus as a priest? His heart broke for humanity.
He offered Himself, not just in sacrifice, but in intercession, prayer, and tears.

This is our call: to live as intercessors.
To let our hearts break for the lost.
To pray like Jesus.
To stand in the gap for this generation.
To lay down our lives if necessary.

Appointment means responsibility.
If we have been appointed as priests under Jesus, then we have been called to carry people before God, and to carry God’s heart to the people.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for calling me into the priesthood of Your Son. Jesus, teach me to pray as You prayed, to weep as You wept, and to love as You loved. Let me not stay in elementary things, but grow into maturity. Make me an intercessor for this generation—a vessel of Your mercy, Your presence, and Your power. Amen.