Supreme Priest

Scripture Reading:Psalm 110:1-7

Kid’s Time: Baby teeth are temporary and are replaced by full grown teeth. Once you get your adult teeth, you wouldn’t try to put your baby teeth back in your mouth!

The job of priests was to draw near to God for other people. They did this through sacrifices offered to God to satisfy God’s divine justice and communicate forgiveness to the worshiper. The question is, did the Levitic priesthood accomplish this fully or not?

I. The Old Priesthood Was not Perfect

A. Imperfection Was Implied

Hebrews 7:11 NASB95

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?

The law spelled out the rules for drawing near to Go. ie. what sacrifices to bring, when to bring them, who could bring them, how the sacrifices were to be offered.

The fact is the Levitical priesthood was not perfect (complete) that is why the Psalmist mentions that the Messiah would be of a different priesthood — Melchizedek. This would have been hard to believe for a unregenerate Jew.

B. A Change Was Necessary

Hebrews 7:12 NASB95

12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.

When you build a stone archway, you must first set up a wooden form. You then place the stones in position to make the archway which is held up without mortar by its own weight. Once it is in place, you don’t keep the wooden form in place. You remove it because it is not needed any long. The stone is stronger and will last forever.

The levitical priesthood was the form and the Jesus and His Melchizedekian priesthood is the stone archway. Jesus is the way to enter into the presence of God.

This change also required a change of the law. This is referring to the law regulating the levitic priesthood. If you replace the priesthood with something better, then it just makes sense that you no longer need the rules that regulated the old priesthood.

II. Jesus Is a Different Priest

A. He Is Not From Levi

Hebrews 7:13 NASB95

13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.

B. He Is From Judah

Hebrews 7:14 NASB95

14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

C. He Is Like Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:15 NASB95

15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek,

another priest — in Greek, Another of a different kind. If you have apples but want another fruit, say oranges. They are both related but they are a different kind and quality.

Hebrews 7:16 NASB95

16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life.

No moral requirements for Levitical priests. Their requirements are purely physical, they had to be of the right family, they had to marry the right woman, they had to have no physical defect (missing body parts etc.)

But Jesus, was not physically impressive,

Isaiah 53:2 NASB95

2 For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, And like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty That we should look upon Him, Nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him.

Was sinless.

1 Peter 2:22 NASB95

22 who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth;

Hebrews 7:17 NASB95

17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

III. Jesus Is a Better Priest

A. Because He Is Not Weak

Hebrews 7:18 NASB95

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness

setting aside —

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 76.24 ἀθετέω; ἀθέτησις, εως

to refuse to recognize the validity of something—‘to reject, to regard as invalid, annulment.

OT gave commands.

B. Because He Brings Access to God

Hebrews 7:19 NASB95

19 (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Jesus gives hope.

Ephesians 2:18 NASB95

18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Hebrews: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary The Perfect Priest Arises by Himself

A young woman had run up a lot of bills and charged far beyond what she was able to pay. She was in debt over her head and saw no way to get out. She was in trouble and the situation looked hopeless. Then a young man came along and fell deeply in love with her. After some months he proposed. She also loved him very much, but felt that she should tell him about her debts before she agreed to marry him. When told, he said, “Don’t worry. I’ll pay all your debts. Just leave them to me.” Before the wedding he gave her an engagement ring and reassured her many times that he would take care of her debts. She trusted him implicitly and knew he was a person of his word. She had every reason to be confident and hopeful. But she was not yet actually free of her debts and, consequently, could not be at peace about them. Finally they were married, and he paid her debts. Not only that, but he told her that he was wealthy beyond her wildest dreams and gave her a joint checking account with himself. She would never again need to be concerned about debts. From that time on she was secure in the riches of the one she loved and who loved her.

That is how much better off a person is under the New Covenant than under the Old. In Christ we are freed from all sin’s debts, and we live forever in the riches of the One we love and who loves us.