In Israel, every High Priest was chosen from among the people to represent them before Elohim. His responsibility was to bring gifts and sacrifices before Yahuah on behalf of the people, including offerings for their sins. And because the High Priest was human, he understood what it meant to be weak. He could show compassion to people who did not understand and to those who had wandered away from the right path, because he struggled with human weakness himself. That was also why he had to offer sacrifices for his own sins, not just for the sins of the people. But nobody could simply decide to become the High Priest because they wanted the honor. That calling had to come from Elohim, just as it did when he appointed Aaron. And the same principle applied to Yahushua the Messiah. Yahushua did not appoint himself to the position of High Priest or claim that honor for himself. Elohim was the one who appointed him. He was the one who declared, You are my Son. Today I have begotten you. And in another passage, Yahuah made another declaration. You are a priest forever, following the order of Melchizedek. Now think about Yahushua during the time he lived among us in human flesh. He prayed to the One who had the power to save him from death. These were not quiet, emotionless prayers. He cried out with tears, making heartfelt requests before his Father. And his prayers were heard because of his reverence and deep respect for Elohim. Even though Yahushua was the Son, he experienced suffering, and through that suffering he learned obedience. Through everything he endured, he was brought to completion in the work he had been given. And because of this, he became the source of eternal salvation for everyone who obeys him. Elohim appointed him as High Priest forever, following the order of Melchizedek. There is so much more to explain about Melchizedek and this priesthood. But the writer of Hebrews recognizes a problem. These things are difficult to explain when the people listening have become unwilling or unprepared to understand. By now, they should have grown enough in their understanding to teach others. Instead, they still need someone to teach them the most basic truths of the word of Elohim all over again. Think about the difference between a baby and a grown person. A baby needs milk because solid food is too much to handle. And that is what happens when someone remains inexperienced in understanding righteousness. They are still learning the very basics, like a child who has not yet grown. But solid food belongs to those who have matured. These are people who have spent time learning and putting what they know into practice. Through that experience, they have trained themselves to recognize the difference between good and evil. And that is the lesson. We are not meant to remain spiritual infants forever. We are meant to grow in understanding, practice what we learn, and become mature enough to recognize what is right and what is wrong.
