Hebrews 7 † Where Will Your Ticket Get You?

Hebrews 7 ESV

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. 3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. 4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! 5 And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. 6 But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. 8 In the one case tithes are received by mortal men, but in the other case, by one of whom it is testified that he lives. 9 One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, 10 for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. 11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” 18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” 22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. 28 For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

SERMON IN A SENTENCE

Jesus, as the perfect high priest, is the assurance of the salvation of his people and the means by which we have free access to God’s presence. We embrace Jesus’ priesthood by meditating on his superiority.

INTRODUCTION

What would you love to have VIP access to?

The high priest in the OT represented the nation’s access to the mercy and blessings of God. In Hebrews, the author wants us to understand and embrace Jesus as our perfect access to salvation and blessing.

INTRO PRAYER

Lord, help us to see Jesus. Help us to better understand what your word means and why it matters. Bless this time today. We pray that you might be glorified both as I present your word and as your people meditate on your word. Go with us now. Illuminate your word by the power of your Spirit. Amen.

UNDERSTANDING JESUS’ PRIESTHOOD

The author compares Jesus to the priests of the Old Testament and connects his “priesthood” to a character from Genesis 14:18-20.

Melchizedek: An Old Picture of a Different Kind of Priest

Often, people focus on the mystery: “Who was this Melchizedek?”

Hebrew’s intention isn’t to make a big deal about Melchizedek, but to show how Jesus is a different (and superior) kind of priest than the priests described in the Old Testament Law.

The author builds off of a prediction in the Psalms of a “new” priest like Melchizedek. Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

The author then connects characteristics from Melchizedek and shows how Christ resembles this type of priest:

M: Priest of God & King of “Peace” (v. 1-2)

M: Received and Offering from Abraham — Superior (v. 2, 4-7)

M: Outside of the Genealogy of Levi (The OT Tribe of Priests)

So, why does it matter that Jesus is compared to Melchizedek? Let’s continue to look at the passage!

Jesus: The Priest of a New Covenant

Jesus’ Priesthood Is:

Based on the Power of His Indestructible Life (v.15-16)

Based on God’s Specific Promises & Predictions (v. 20-21)

A Permanent Priesthood (23-24)

A Continual Intercession for His People (25)

Marked by His Perfection & Sacrifice (26-28)

How do we take an intellectual understanding that Jesus is all that the Bible says that he is, and let it drive us toward endurance and joy?

EMBRACING JESUS’ PRIESTHOOD

Measuring Up My “Priests”

Our three “access” problems: (1) ignorance, (2) guilt, (3) bondage.

What do our hearts default to deal with these problems?

Are we willing to honestly measure these “priests” in comparison with what the gospel promises us?

The phrase “able to save” (σῴζειν … δύναται) does not simply convey the idea of potentiality, as if he is able to save but he might not do so. On the contrary the efficacy of Jesus’ saving work is featured here. Those who draw near to God through Jesus are assured that they will be saved.

Thomas R. Schreiner

Meditating on Jesus’ Superiority

Meditate on:

The price Jesus has paid for our access. Hebrews 7:27 “He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.”

The promise Jesus has secured for us. Hebrews 7:22 “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.”

The prayers Jesus offers up for us. Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

The perspective Jesus shares with us. Hebrews 7:26 “2For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.”

PASTORAL PRAYER

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