A NEW KIND OF PRIEST
Hebrews 7
We’ve become familiar with stories about clever defenders who get their clients off easy.
When WE’re the accused, we all want the best defender money can buy.
Jesus is the best defender ever.
He’s not the best money can buy; He can’t be bought.
He’s not the best because He’s tricky or clever.
But He is the best defender. That’s the point Hebrews 7 wants to communicate.
When we stand before the Father, we better have the best defender.
Don’t settle for second best. You want Jesus in the throne room with you!
Early Hebrew believers, facing affliction because of their faith in Christ,
are thinking about going back to the old system to escape the pain.
Life was easier “B.C.” “If we go back, maybe the problems will go away!”
Hebrews is an exhortation to continue growing in faith, rather than turn back.
Judaism is bankrupt. It has nothing to offer!
Our High Priest has obtained a way to enter directly into God’s presence.
To turn back now is useless. What would that accomplish?
Jesus is the solution to their problem—NOT the priests, nor the priestly system.
The majority of the book focuses on Christ’s superiority to Judaism.
Superiority of Christ's person 1-7–He’s superior to the great people of Israel’s history.
Jesus is the Best Revelation of the Father 1-4:13
Jesus is the Best High Priest 4:14-7:28
He understands our weakness 4:14-16
He’s qualified to serve as our High Priest 5:1-10
(Their inability to understand 5:11-6:20}
Problem explaining this doctrine because they aren’t able to understand.
We can’t understand what he’s saying, because we’re focused on problems,
NOT on the One Who’s seated at the Father’s right hand.
He urges us to grow up.
Leave behind the baby food–the easy parts– and start developing our muscles, by enduring the pain, so we can move toward maturity.
They shouldn’t turn back to Judaism to escape the pain,
because of the public disgrace it would cause.
He’s confident that people who have the real thing
will continue to demonstrate the reality of our faith in Christ.
He urges us to continue to trust God and wait patiently.
God’s promises are guaranteed. Our hope won’t be disappointed.
Since the basis for our confidence is Christ’s intercession, he returns to theme of . . .
JESUS’ SUPERIORITY AS HIGH PRIEST 7:1-28
The only adequate resource we can draw on in hard times is Jesus–our High Priest.
Because He’s seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us,
we can call on Him for help when we’re in trouble.
Jesus is better because His priesthood is of a superior order to Levi’s.
He’s the same kind of priest as Melchizedek. Which raises the question . . .
Who is this “Melchizedek?” We read about him in Gen. 14:18-20
The city-states of Palestine were at war. Two groups of kings are fighting, 4 against 5.
The five were taken captive by the four.
Lot was among the captives. So Abraham took 318 servants and went after them.
He defeats the kings and returns with the captives and the spoils.
He had a right to all the spoils. He could have become rich!
On the way back, he’s met by Melchizedek, king of Salem.
He is a king-priest, who appears out of nowhere. Gen. 14:18-20
Melchizedek is identified as “priest of the most high God,”
the same name Abraham uses to describe Yahweh, the God of Israel (v. 22).
At that time only a few isolated individuals worship the true God.
Abraham is one of those people; Melchizedek is another.
They have a common bond in worshiping the One true God.
Melchizedek comes out and blesses Abraham.
Abraham gives a tithe of all he has taken to this king-priest, God’s messenger,
as a recognition that this most high God gave him victory.
He gives everything else back to the other kings. He keeps nothing for himself!
ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ORDER 7:1-3
Hebrews tells us that Jesus’ priesthood is the same kind as Melchizedek’s.
Some of Melchizedek’s principal characteristics:
Melchizedek blessed Abraham!
Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek!
His names indicate his superiority:
He is king of righteousness (<= “Melchizedek”)
He is king of peace. (<= King of Salem <= shalom)
Jesus is Himself righteousness and peace
Jesus is the source of our righteousness and peace.
His priesthood did not depend on his genealogy.
“without father, without mother, without genealogy”
He’s presented the same way as the Son of God is.
This isn’t an affirmation that Melchizedek is the Son of God.
He is presented the same way. This appears to be true of them both.
However, the type only resembles and prefigures these characteristics;
the Son literally fulfills them.
In Genesis genealogies are important—everybody important has a genealogy. Then, out of nowhere, Melchizedek shows up without one!
Why doesn’t God give his? Because Melchizedek is a type of the eternal priest!
The Levitical priest had to have an authenticated genealogy
–traced back to Aaron. The pedigree was essential.
But no one knows where Melchizedek comes from!
–yet Abraham acknowledges his superiority to his family.
Neither Melchizedek nor Jesus authenticate their claim to priesthood based on genealogy. Both base their priesthood on God’s call.
Yet it’s clear that God put him there–that’s true of Jesus too!
Though neither authenticates their lineage the normal way, God’s call is sure!
He is presented, in the story, as eternal.
No mention is made of his beginning or end.
His sudden appearance and departure give the feeling of someone who simply is —Who has no beginning or end.
What Melchizedek provides figuratively, Jesus provides literally as the Eternal One.
He remains a priest forever
He comes on the scene as a king-priest.
As far as the story knows, he’s still a king-priest.
His priesthood never comes to an end–as far as the story goes. It just is!
This is the kind of priesthood in which Christ serves.
While it’s true that Christ died, Hebrews is devoted to showing that He’s still alive.
He ever lives to make intercession for us. He is our High Priest forever.
INFERIORITY OF OLD ORDER 7:4-28
5 reasons demonstrate inferiority of Levitical priesthood to the Melchizedekan priesthood.
1. Because of tithes given 7:4-10
Abraham gave HIM a tithe –NOT the other way around!
The father of the tithe collector acknowledges his superiority—HE paid. 4-6a
Melchizedek blessed Abraham—the lesser is blessed by the greater 6b-7
Levi’s sons are mortal; Melchizedek is depicted as living.
No end is ever recognized 8
So, Levi acknowledges him 9-10
Since Levi comes from Abraham, his inferiority is implied in Abraham’s act.
2. Because of establishing of a new priesthood 7:11-22
The promise of a new priesthood demonstrates that the old is temporary.
Jewish people accept Ps. 110 as Messianic.
No descendant of Levi could be king; No descendant of Judah could be priest.
Yet Ps. 110:4 and Zech. 6:13 speak of a King Who is established as priest.
The King who rules from Zion with a mighty scepter is appointed a priest forever.
God’s oath demonstrates that this is a new priesthood.
When God announces a future priesthood, it should have told Levitical priests that there’d be an end to their priesthood.
God’s authentication of a new priesthood
argues for the inadequacy of the old 7:11
Old Priesthood New Priesthood
Weak 18 <=> Power of an indestructible life 16
Ineffective Better hope 19
Perfected nothing 19 Better covenant 22
Old priesthood is bound together with the law, but law can’t produce perfection.
If law could get us there, we wouldn’t need another priesthood. (11)
The new priesthood accomplishes what the old couldn’t.
Jesus is a different kind of priest. 15
The old system was based on physical issues: physical ancestry, marriage, health, diet, and ceremonial performance.
The new priesthood is based on a different principle.
–not based on external, physical issues but on power inherent in His life.
Jesus can do what the law and its priesthood couldn’t do—it’s weak and useless.
Because of His indestructible life, we have a High Priest forever. (18-19).
In O.T. system, the veil kept people separated from the presence of a Holy God.
In Christ we’re able to draw near to Him.
The veil has been torn apart and removed.
3. Because of death 7:23-25
Third evidence of inferiority: priests die.
There were more than 300 High Priests. None survived.
About the time people got used to one High Priest, he would die.
Christ as the eternal High Priest continues forever. There are no successors.
His priesthood is permanent—you can count on it!
Term describing the permanence of Jesus’ priesthood means unalterable.
Galen, a medical writer, uses it to describe absolute scientific law which can never be violated, the principles on which the universe is built.
Jesus’ priesthood is as lasting as the laws which hold the universe together!
We don’t have to worry about some young priest, straight out of seminary, blowing it, and leaving us all messed up with God.
The eternal High Priest, who knows all about us, and about God, intercedes for us.
He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him,
because He lives forever,and continues to intercede for us (25).
4. Because of sin 7:26-27a
Fourth evidence of inferiority: priests had to offer for themselves first.
Levitical sacrifices begin with a sacrifice for the sins of the High Priest.
They’re sinful people making animal sacrifices for sinful people.
He’s the sinless Son of God, offering Himself for the sin of all people.
Jesus is superior because He’s a sinless High Priest.
He’s holy (pure), harmless (no bad or evil in Him), undefiled (without blemish)
He needs no offering for His own sin.
5. Because of repetition 7:27b-28
Final evidence of inferiority: Priests offered sacrifices daily because of weakness.
Christ offered one sacrifice forever. Nothing can be added to it. It is complete.
It provides everything we need to come boldly into God’s presence.
Since we have such a High Priest, we can approach Him in confidence.
Jesus is a better High Priest
because He’s like Melchizedek, who is greater than Levi.
THREE POINTS TO PONDER: Vss. 25 & 26 introduce three conclusions:
1. Salvation has been offered through our priest 7:25
“He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him.”
He’s the bridge—the only way of approach by which we can come near to God.
Jesus alone is able to save us completely, when we come to God, through Him.
We don’t come by our own efforts.
He is “the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but by HIM!”
2. Now we can draw near to God. 7:19, 25
“We draw near to God” “We come to God through Him”
When we face hard times, we can come directly to God,
because our High Priest is forever in God’s presence to intervene on our behalf.
Now we can come boldly into the throne room of the King.
3. Jesus, our High Priest, meets our need. 7:26
“Such a High Priest meets our need.”
Lit., “such a High Priest is fitting (appropriate) for us.” He’s a “perfect fit” for us.
He corresponds exactly to what we need!
DO YOU WANT TO BE NEAR TO GOD?
You don’t need a priestly pedigree.
You need a life that’s indestructible—the great High Priest, who continues forever.
Jesus is the best High Priest.
Jesus stands before the Father as our advocate.
A professor at a small college was asked to contact a wealthy man on behalf of the school. Funds were needed for expansion. As he walked in, he was greeted by a young man he recognized as a former student. When the student learned why he was there, he said, "Come in. My father's in here." The son introduced the professor: "Dad, this is a friend of mine. He's come on behalf of the college I attended." The father looked up at the visitor, reached for his checkbook, and said, "How much do you need?" The professor walked out with a generous contribution. His mission was secured by the intercession of the son.
That’s what our advocate does for us.
He intercedes before His Father in our behalf.
“My Advocate” Martha Snell Nicholson
I sinned.
And straightway, posthaste, Satan flew before the presence of the most High God, and made a railing accusation there.
He said, "This soul, this thing of clay and sod, Has sinned.
'Tis true that he has named Thy Name, But I demand his death, for Thou hast said, 'The soul that sinneth, it shall die.'
Shall not Thy sentence be fulfilled? Is justice dead?
Send now this wretched sinner to his doom. What other thing can a righteous ruler do?"
And thus he did accuse me day and night, And every word he spoke, O God, was true!
Then quickly One rose up from God's right hand, Before whose glory angels veiled their eyes.
He spoke, "Each jot and tittle of the law Must be fulfilled; —the guilty sinner dies!
But wait--suppose his guilt were all transferred To Me,
and that I paid his penalty! Behold My hands, My side, My feet!
One day I was made sin for him, and died that he Might be presented faultless at Thy throne!"
And Satan fled away. Full well he knew That he could not prevail against such love,
For every word my dear Lord spoke was true!
We have such a High Priest,
Who is able to save completely those who come to God through Him,
because He ever lives to make intercession for US!