Transcending the Hurt Locker - Hebrews 5:1-10

Our reflection takes up the theme of Jesus’ Messianic priesthood introduced in Hebrews 2:17-18. Jesus’ priestly work of propitiation, based upon a deep sympathy for our suffering, sets up an explanation of His high priestly office that continues through 10:18. A blunt exhortation interrupts this discussion in chapter five, however. It warns of the danger of eternal damnation should anyone fellowship with Christ and then hold Him in contempt. The exhortations to faithfulness and explanations about Jesus’ priesthood call us to the basic purpose of the book. That purpose is to cast off any weight or entangling sin by fixing our eyes upon Jesus, the initiator and perfecter of our faith (cf. Hebrews 12:1-3).