In Hebrews Christ replaces figures, ordinances, sacrifices, all religious forms and ceremonies, with Himself. He is the Prophet, Priest, and King.
The Church is not the subject of Hebrews, nor union with Christ as His body. We find those themes in other scriptures.
Christ is seen as Priest for our infirmities to preserve us on the way. He corrects what is wrong and leads His people in the right way.
We have new ground of teaching in Hebrews, a new Sacrifice to replace all that has gone before. Hebrews is a sample of teaching, the Old Testament types being the subject matter to open up the meaning of the types in the light of the New Testament teaching.
In the destruction of Jerusalem, which at that time was near, the entire economy of Israel-their religious, political, and social order-was destroyed.
The priesthood of the Lord Jesus is brought before us in comparison with, or in contrast to, that of Aaron. Aaron was called to be a priest from among men to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He, being a man, had compassion on the ignorant and those straying, because he also was encompassed with infirmity. He had to offer sacrifices for himself as well as for others. No one could take on the priesthood except by calling of God, as was Aaron.
Christ did not glorify Himself to become a high priest. Psa. 2 "Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee." "Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." Psa. 110.
The priesthood alone does not fit Him to enter into the miseries of man. His earthly history, recorded in much detail, makes us feel how able He is to take part in our sorrows as well as to intercede with God for us. Down here, "in the days of His flesh," He passed through the anguish of the cross in dependence upon God. He made His request to Him who was able to save Him out of death.
He did not save Himself, which He had the power to do, for His purpose in coming into the world was to obey and to suffer for our sins. He "offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears."
There was no time like Calvary. What a moment of deep sorrow as never before. The One who knew no sin was made sin for us.
Christ, the glorious Son of God, learned obedience (a new thing to One who always commanded). Having formerly ordered angels and others, He now is told what to do. He learned obedience to perfection and was made the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey Him.
There are many things to be said about the High Priest (Christ) who is "after the order of Melchizedek."
The old ordinances held the mind of the Jew whose heart was not open to the revelation of the new calling. He was on milk, not meat, which is for "them that are of full age."