21st Sunday after Pentecost

Preaching Commentary

What, then, does the author intend to communicate in verses 1-4? He proclaims that an authoritative and authentic high priest must both identify with and be distinct from those to whom he ministers.

—David P. Nystrom, New International Version Application Commentary

Introduction

When I read Hebrews in general, and our passage today in particular, I could not help but think of Irving Berlin’s famous show tune “Anything you can do, I can do better.” Hebrews demonstrates over and again that the law of Moses and the Aaronic priestly system are ultimately inferior to the priestly work of Christ. In other words, anything the old high priest can do, Christ has…