Jesus The Greater

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Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are both my example of all goodness and the redeemer of all my sin. I bless Your name.

Read Hebrews 7:11–22

^[11] If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood-and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood-why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? ^[12] For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ^[13] He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. ^[14] For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ^[15] And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ^[16] one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ^[17] For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” ^[18] The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ^[19] (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. ^[20] And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ^[21] but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.'” ^[22] Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

Meditate

In Jesus we have a better hope (19) and a better covenant (22).

Think Further

Jesus Christ fulfils the ancient prophecy of “a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (17). This new order of priests is fundamentally different from the old Levitical order. Where the latter was founded on the Law, the former is founded on a promise of God’s Word, sealed by divine oath; both the promise (17) and the oath (21) are quoted from Psalm 110:4. No promise could be more secure. Jesus’ authority to act as our high priest comes directly from the mouth of God.

The weaknesses of the Levitical priesthood centered on the inescapable truth that their priests were only human and therefore subject to the corruption of sin. Think of Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1,2), or Hophni and Phinehas (1 Sam. 1:3; 2:12,17,22–25). Their sacrifices for sin therefore required constant repetition. Worst of all, the high priests kept dying and having to be replaced. The author of Hebrews has already made it clear that Jesus, though he did experience temptation, is without sin (Heb. 4:15). Now the promise of Psalm 110:4 makes it clear that, in contrast to those Old Testament priests, Jesus also has “an indestructible life” (16). This is a testament to his divinity, contrasting with their humanity. A divine, indestructible life has immense power. Thus Jesus has been appointed a priest forever; he has an eternal power to mediate for us. He sets aside the Law on which Levitical priesthood was founded; he brings to a welcome end the previously endless, wearying cycle of sacrifices. Thereby he brings us “a better hope” (19) than the old system could ever afford—one by which every one of us may always “draw near to God” (19) without the need of a human priest to represent us. Jesus the perfect priest-king never fails.

Apply

What are some of the “old ways” that tempt you to turn from Jesus?

Closing prayer

Lord Jesus, You have the power to change me and the wisdom to know what is best for me. Mold and shape me after Your will.

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