1Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”5:5 Psalm 2:7
6And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”5:6 Psalm 110:4
7During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Falling Away
11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
15:1 Ebr 2:17; 8:3; 9:9-27Kwa maana kila kuhani mkuu anayechaguliwa miongoni mwa wanadamu anawekwa kuwawakilisha kwa mambo yanayomhusu Mungu, ili apate kutoa matoleo na dhabihu kwa ajili ya dhambi. 25:2 Ebr 2:18; 4:15; 7:28Kwa kuwa yeye mwenyewe ni dhaifu, aweza kuwachukulia kwa upole wale wasiojua na kupotoka. 35:3 Law 4:3; 9:7; 16:6; 15:16, 17; Ebr 7:27; 9:7Hii ndiyo sababu inampasa kutoa dhabihu kwa ajili ya dhambi zake mwenyewe na vivyo hivyo kwa ajili ya dhambi za watu. 45:4 Kut 28:1; Hes 14:40; 18:7; 2Nya 26:18; 1Nya 23:13; Yn 3:27Hakuna anayejitwalia heshima hii mwenyewe; ni lazima aitwe na Mungu, kama vile Aroni alivyoitwa. 55:5 Yn 8:54; Ebr 2:17; 1:5; 1:1; Za 2:7; Mdo 13:33Pia Kristo hakujitwalia utukufu yeye mwenyewe wa kuwa Kuhani Mkuu, bali Mungu alimwambia,
“Wewe ni Mwanangu;
leo mimi nimekuzaa.”
65:6 Ebr 5:10; 6:20; 7:2-22; 7:17, 21; Mwa 14:18; Za 110:4Pia mahali pengine asema,
“Wewe ni kuhani milele,
kwa mfano wa Melkizedeki.”
75:7 Lk 22:41-44; 23:46; Mt 27:46; Za 22:24; Mk 14:36Katika siku za maisha ya Yesu hapa duniani, alimtolea maombi na dua pamoja na kulia sana na machozi, yeye awezaye kumwokoa na mauti, naye Mungu akamsikia kwa sababu ya kutii kwake kwa unyenyekevu. 85:8 Ebr 1:2; 3:6; Flp 2:8Ingawa alikuwa Mwana, alijifunza utiifu kutokana na mateso aliyoyapata, 95:9 Ebr 2:10; 11:40; Isa 45:17; Yn 17:1, 5na akiisha kukamilishwa, akawa chanzo cha wokovu wa milele kwa wote wanaomtii. 105:10 Ebr 5:6; 6:20; 2:17Naye amewekwa na Mungu kuwa Kuhani Mkuu kwa mfano wa Melkizedeki.
Wito Wa Kukua Kiroho
115:11 Yn 16:12; 2Pet 3:16; Mt 13:15Tunayo mengi ya kusema kuhusu habari ya ukuhani huu, lakini ni vigumu kuyaeleza, kwa sababu ninyi ni wazito wa kuelewa. 125:12 Ebr 6:1; 1Kor 3:2; 1Pet 2:2Kwa hakika, ingawa mpaka wakati huu ingewapasa kuwa walimu, bado mnahitaji mtu wa kuwafundisha tena hatua za awali za kweli ya Neno la Mungu. Mnahitaji maziwa, wala si chakula kigumu! 135:13 1Kor 13:11; 14:20; Efe 4:14; 1Pet 2:2Kwa maana yeyote aishiye kwa kunywa maziwa bado yeye ni mtoto mchanga, hana ujuzi katika mafundisho kuhusu neno la haki. 145:14 1Kor 2:6; Isa 7:15; 1Kor 2:14, 15Lakini chakula kigumu ni kwa ajili ya watu wazima, ambao kwa kujizoeza wamejifunza kupambanua kati ya mema na mabaya.
