A Better Priesthood Through Christ

Hebrews  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  29:39
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Hebrews 7:11-19
A couple of weeks ago we looked at Hebrews 7:1-10, where we saw the illustration the author of Hebrews gave about Abraham giving tithes to Melchisedec, King of Salem.
We saw how Melchisedec was a type of Christ and a Priest of the Most High God.
We saw how that Jesus was a High Priest after the order of Mechisedec, not by lineage, but by the sovereign choosing of God.
Today we are going to look at the comparison of Christ’s priesthood to the Levitical priesthood.
Imagine if you will deciding that you wanted to go to the U.P., but when you got to the Mackinaw Bridge it was suddenly only half complete.
You, of course, would not be able to get to your destination that way.
The Old Testament priesthood functioned like that unfinished bridge: It pointed people toward God but could not provide full access.
The Levitical priesthood was insufficient to settle our sin debt.
The sacrifices only pushed forward the sin debt until it could be paid for.
But Christ’s priesthood is complete.
The passage we are looking at tonight teaches us why Jesus, our High Priest, is far superior to the Levitical priests and why His priesthood brings a better hope.
Let’s look at the three main points of this passage…

I. The Deficiency of the Old Priesthood

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law
What if you went to the doctor and they ran tests because of a problem you were having, and he comes in and says “Ok, we found out what the problem is…but there’s nothing really we can do to fix it…we can just delay the symptoms with this medicine.”
He can tell you whats wrong, but he can’t really take care of the problem.
That was the limitation of the Levitical priesthood—it could identify sin, but not remove it.

A. Could Not Bring Perfection

11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
The word translated perfection means complete reconciliation with God.
The Levitical system required repeated sacrifices because it could never fully deal with sins debt.
Hebrews 10:1–4 KJV
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3 But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
The Levitical system was just a shadow of the perfection that would come.
If the old system worked, there would be no need for another priest.
But God, through David (who came after the establishment of the Levitical Priesthood) foretold of Jesus being a priest after the order of Melchisedec.
Romans 8:3 KJV
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

B. Required a Change in the Law

12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
The entire Old Testament system was built around the Levitical priesthood.
Since God had promised a different priesthood…
Psalm 110:4 KJV
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
…therefore a change in the law was necessary.
Jesus’ coming marked the transition from law to grace.
John 1:17 KJV
17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
There is one salvation throughout all the ages, but the out working of faith looked different.
By faith, the Old Testament saints obeyed the Levitical Laws looking forward to the coming Messiah.
By faith, the New Testament church looks back at Christ as our faithful example and Savior.
By the Way, if the Old Testament law could not save, neither can religious rituals today.
Salvation is in Christ alone!
Acts 4:12 KJV
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

II. The Distinction of Christ’s Priesthood

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Christ was different than the Levitical Priesthood for many reasons, we see three here in this passage.

A. From a Different Tribe

13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
I have known a few companies that have had the CEO’s come from the same family for many years.
From one generation to another, things are typically done the same way.
But then suddenly a new leader arises from outside the family and the company hires them…not by birth but by sheer ability and authority.
That is Christ—appointed not by lineage but by divine decree.
Jesus came from Judah, not Levi.
Genesis 49:10 KJV
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh come; And unto him shall the gathering of the people be.
Shiloh - “He whose it is”
Often interpreted as His right to rule, or the peace is His - either way points to Christ.
God never appointed priests from Judah under the Mosaic Law.
Yet Christ is declared High Priest, proving that His priesthood is from a higher order.
Not only is He from another tribe…

B. By a Different Power

15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
The Levitical priests were appointed by genealogy.
Christ was appointed by divine authority and power of an endless life. (v. 16)
The levitical priests were appointed based on physical requirements and genealogical decent, but Christ’s priesthood is based on His eternal nature.
He is not bound by human limitations but serves as an everlasting priest.
His power is evident in not only His life, but his death and resurrection.
John 10:18 KJV
18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Our confidence in Christ comes form His eternal nature—He is not subject to human frailty but is a living and eternal High Priest.

C. By a Different Promise

17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
He being David in Psalm 110:4.
The Levitical priesthood was established by the law; Christ’s was established by an oath.
Hebrews 6:17–18 KJV
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Because Christ is our eternal priest, we do not need another mediator.
1 Timothy 2:5 KJV
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
We can go directly to God through Him!

III. The Displacement of the Old Covenant

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The disannulling (or cancelation) of the commandment that came before was because it was weak, and unprofitable.
I remember when GPS’s first came out, I was traveling for ACE full time.
It became a necessity.
But the problem, I soon learned was that my stand alone GPS had to be updated.
I had to periodically connect it to my computer at home and download updates.
I remember driving through a city one day, and the GPS told me to turn right, so I did…I soon realized that the street was a one way street.
I pulled over as soon as I could and turned around.
Either the street had recently become one way, or else the GPS had not been updated with the correct information.
Without updated directions it can be quite hazardous.
Another time I ended up going in circles trying to find the correct turn, because of outdated information.
The old priesthood was like that—it pointe the way but could not bring people to their destination.
Christ, however, brings us directly into God’s presence.

A. From a Weak Commandment

18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
The Mosaic Law was “weak” because it could not change the heart.
Galatians 3:24–25 KJV
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The point of the Law was to lead us to Christ, as a schoolmaster leads you to the answer.
In studying to become a teacher I learned the importance of leading a student to the answer rather than giving them the answer.
The Law led us to Christ and salvation.
But it cannot save us.
Romans 3:20 KJV
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The law revealed sin but could not remove it.
Only Christ can provide true cleansing.
1 John 1:7 KJV
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Some people still try to earn salvation through works, rituals or good behavior.
But salvation is in Christ alone!
Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
So the displacement of the law was from a weak commandment…

B. To a Better Hope

19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The Old Testament system kept people at a distance—only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year.
But now our High Priest has torn the separation in two.
Matthew 27:51 KJV
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
We now have access directly to the throne of God.
Christ removed the barrier, giving us direct access.
Because of Christ we can come boldly to the throne of Grace.
Hebrews 4:16 KJV
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Something that would have never been said before Christ.

Conclusion

The Levitical priesthood was temporary, weak and ineffective.
Christ’s priesthood is eternal, powerful and sufficient.
We now have a better hope-direct access to God through Christ.
For those who were trying to cling to their old ways of the Mosaic Law, the author clearly lays out the reasons why Jesus is Better!
For us today, let us cling to Christ as our Savior, provider, and friend.
Are you trusting in Christ alone, or are you still trying to earn favor iwth God through religious works?
Are you living in the confidence of Christ’s finished work, or do you struggle with guilt and insecurity.
Are you taking advantage of your direct access to God, or are you keeping Him at a distance?
If you feel far from God, He hasn’t moved.
Draw near to Him today through Christ—our eternal and perfect High Priest!
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