Hebrews
The Glorious Jesus
Jesus: Greater than Aaron
Part 1
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on how the writer of Hebrews shows Jesus to be superior to the Jewish religion, the priesthood and the High Priest. Of special note in this lesson is the explanation of how Jesus is superior to Aaron, the first High Priest. This foundational lesson is the first of three on this topic.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how Jesus is superior to all things in heaven and on earth.
- Feel: Defend the superiority of Jesus.
- Do: Submit to the lordship of Jesus by obedient faith.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.
Hebrews was written to primarily Jews that had converted to Christianity to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ in the face of pressure and persecution. The writer explains how Christ is superior to all things physical and spiritual, and that our hope of salvation is through no other.
Not only is Jesus with us as our High Priest, but He has experienced our human life and now waits for us to enter the promised rest. Because of this, we can proceed with confidence.
Aaron was the brother of Moses and the first High Priest.
To offer atonement for the sins of the people. Animal sacrifices go all the way back to the beginning when God covered Adam and Eve with animal skins to hide their shame for sin which was felt through their nakedness. This symbolized the innocent being offered on behalf of the guilty.
His clothing represented an exalted and important person prepared in a glorious way to approach God. No one else could wear the clothing of the High Priest.
He was appointed from men. He had experienced sin himself and thus was familiar with the need for men to come before God wanting forgiveness for sin. The High Priest could relate to ordinary people because underneath the ceremonial garb he wore was an ordinary man also needing forgiveness for his own sins.
- Jesus was appointed by God as a priest forever.
- Jesus traces His priesthood's human lineage to Melchizedek who lived before Aaron.
- Jesus knew our needs based upon His shared humanity yet He was without sin. He was both the one offering the sacrifice and the sacrifice itself.
We can have confidence in our hope of salvation because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus not only shared our experience but also waits for us in the heavenly realm.
Jesus is superior to all elements of our lives. We can have confidence in the promise of forgiveness through our faithfulness to Christ.