A Better Priesthood, A Better Hope

Hebrews, one the greatest and yet the most mysterious book in the Bible. The author for sure is unknown but the truths that are contained within are undeniable. This book was certainly written by someone very familiar and knowledgeable of the Levitical priesthood. This leads many to believe that it was Paul. While Paul was knowledgeable in the priesthood, he was not a part of it. While he was a Pharisee, he announces in that he is from the tribe of Benjamin. Pharisees could be from any tribe. The name actually means separated or divided because the Pharisees separated themselves from the people and the manners of the world and looked to the letter of the law in their lives mostly to the detriment of their walk with God. The possibility of the letter written by Barnabas is increased because of his knowledge of how Paul wrote and also because we find out in that Barnabas was actually a Levite and would be not only be familiar with the priesthood but would also be keen on the High Priesthood of Jesus. But it’s all conjecture.

Hebrews, one the greatest and yet the most mysterious book in the Bible. The author for sure is unknown but the truths that are contained within are undeniable. This book was certainly written by someone very familiar and knowledgeable of the Levitical priesthood. This leads many to believe that it was Paul. While Paul was knowledgeable in the priesthood, he was not a part of it. While he was a Pharisee, he announces in that he is from the tribe of Benjamin. Pharisees could be from any tribe. The name actually means separated or divided because the Pharisees separated themselves from the people and the manners of the world and looked to the letter of the law in their lives mostly to the detriment of their walk with God. The possibility of the letter written by Barnabas is increased because of his knowledge of how Paul wrote and also because we find out in that Barnabus was actually a Levite and would be not only be familiar with the priesthood but would also be keen on the High Priesthood of Jesus.

As we looked at in the beginning, the letter is actually in three parts, with dealing with the Sonship of Jesus and His superiority over Moses. deals with the Great High Priesthood of Jesus and His superiority over Aaron and his Levitical successors. -13 will deal with the Kingship of Jesus and His superiority over self. In all of this, we do see that the overwhelming focus is on the High Priesthood of Jesus. On this, the author takes great care in presenting this point over and over and stressing it greatly.

Last week we looked at the which made a perplexing statement about this fellow Melchizedek, saying that he had no mother, no father, no genealogy, he had no beginning of days and had no end of life. Very strange indeed but this was not meant to assume that he was superhuman or even non-human. This was a reference to the lack of information that we have of a character that was indeed a foreshadowing of our Lord Jesus and His position. This will be picked up again in the following verses of .

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. NKJV

Verse 4 should catch us right off. We are told to consider how great a man this Melchizedek was. He was so great that the patriarch of the Jewish people, the chosen people of God gave a tithe, a tenth of what was recovered to him. Offerings like this were only previously given to God. Subsequently, we didn't see the tithe come back in to existence until the formation of the Levitical priesthood in the Exodus. At that point, the tithe was brought to the priests, the Levites as an offering to the Lord. It is what the Levites lived off of and also what ran the tabernacle and the Temple later.

The point of this section is to show that the line of Levi, who would receive the tithe is in actuality paying the tithe to another priest, Melchizedek through their forefather Abraham so to speak. We also see that Abraham is blessed by Melchizedek, placing Melchizedek ina position of greatness over Abraham. This wasn't some blessing of good wishes but it was in fact a blessing declaring God's intention to bestow good and great things upon Abraham.

Barnes says,

The act of pronouncing a blessing is understood to imply superiority of rank, age, or station. So when a father lays his hand on his children and blesses them, it is understood to be the act of one superior in age, venerableness, and authority; when a prophet pronounced a blessing on the people, the same thing was understood, and the same is true also when a minister of religion pronounces a blessing on a congregation. It is the act of one who is understood to sustain an office above the people on whom the blessing is pronounced. - Barnes' Notes

It is a big deal when I do the blessing or benediction at the end of this service. Not because I am any better than anyone but because I have been put in a position of spiritual authority in this church by God. The blessing comes from Him through me, not because of who I am but because of what I am. With that position comes great responsibility. I will answer for my leadership in this church. We'll read more on that in Chapter 13.

Moving on to verse 11. If perfection could have been achieved through the Levitical priesthood, then there would have been no need for another, better, higher priest. If one could have been called according to the established priest line of Aaron (Levi) it would have been done but there was no one that could fulfill the requirements through that line and therefore God would have to go outside that line. He would rise a High Priest up according to the order of Melchizedek. This means that One would have to come from a line with no beginning and no end, not that Melchizedek did not have parents or was born and died but there is no record of it and so therefore it is written that he has never died and is still a priest of the most high God. Don't let this get confusing.

We stay on this because the author did and the author was inspired by God to bring this message to us and therefore we must conclude that the study of Melchizedek, Jesus and the High Priesthood is of great importance to God and therefore to us. The author here states that this change of priesthood from the line of Levi to the order of Melchizedek necessitated a change of the law. Whereas the priests of Levi worked according to the Law of Moses in the order of the sacrifices for sin which were temporary in nature awaiting a permanent sacrifice to come. That would not be able to come from Levi.

Verse 14 tells us that it is clear that Jesus came from the tribe of Judah which is the same lineage as David. This establishes His right to the Kingship of the Jews. This is posted on the sign nailed to His cross and ordered by Pilate. Written in three languages, Hebrew, Greek and Latin, Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews. But Jesus coming in the order of Melchizedek, then He comes not according to the law of fleshly commandment but "according to the power of an endless life."

Salvation doesn't come as a temporary thing but as an eternal thing. All of the sacrifices to the date of the crucifixion were temporary and those who died in that are still awaiting in Sheol to rise from the dead. Those who have died in Christ since the permanent and final sacrifice go straight into the presence of the Lord in spirit form and await a glorified body at His return to earth.

It was written in , “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” So, what's the big deal? It's the forever part. Although Melchizedek most certainly is not still alive, because there is no record of his death, his priesthood continues. Jesus follows suite in His priesthood as one that continues forever. He is forever in the Holy of Holies with the Father. There is no more separation between man and God for the veil was torn by one greater than any earthly priest could ever be. The Law of Moses was annulled because it was weak in that it did not last and therefore was unprofitable for mankind. It was merely temporary. And, when the lasting, permanent sacrifice came there was no need for the temporary anymore. The Law of Moses was cancelled because it was no longer needed. The sacrificial system had come to an end at Calvary along with living according to a list of rules and burdens that no man could keep.

Jesus Himself brought the Law to only two commandments.

, Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” NKJV

We are to strive to these two things alone because when we are doing them, it is impossible for us to do wrong.

, And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” 27 So he answered and said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” NKJV

You see, the Law never made anyone perfect because no one could keep the Law. No one except Jesus. But he ushered in a new law, a law of grace. Saying it is not about what you can do (because you can't) but instead it is about what I will do...which is pay for your sin and the sin of the world once and for all. And, being that I am a High Priest forever, the sacrifice and the payment will have no end. Your freedom is bought forever. Jesus brought us a better hope than keeping the law, He brought us to the personal presence of God.

The New King James Version Chapter 7

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The LORD has sworn

And will not relent,

‘You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek’ ”),

22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

Jesus was special when it comes to His priesthood. His came with an oath and a promise from God unlike any other priest in the Levitical priesthood. The Lord swore His oath and God does not lie and He does not go back on His word and He proclaimed that Jesus would be a priest…forever…unlike what they had known but like what was unknown, this mysterious man called Melchizedek. And even more than Melchizedek, Jesus became the surety, the pledge, the bondsman of a better covenant, or contract. That is the New Covenant, the New Testament we now have with God and it is an everlasting contract and promise.

Look at verse 23, no other priest could have made an everlasting covenant because they were prevented by death, but Jesus lives forever and so does His priesthood. Verse 25, Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. That’s Good News for all of us.

These next verses sum up for us this priesthood. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

We needed a High Priest such as this. The author here gives us the list making Jesus different from any other priest before Him.

He is Holy,

He is Harmless (innocent),

He is undefiled (unsoiled, pure),

He is separate from sinners (set apart),

He has become higher than the heavens (He is above all of creation and sits by the Father).

As we close, listen to the words of Clarke;

But how was a person of such infinite dignity suitable to us? His greatness is put in opposition to our meanness. HE was holy; WE, unholy. HE was harmless; WE, harmful, injuring both ourselves and others. HE was undefiled; WE, defiled, most sinfully spotted and impure. HE was separate from sinners; WE were joined to sinners, companions of the vile, the worthless, the profane, and the wicked. HE was higher than the heavens; WE, baser and lower than the earth, totally unworthy to be called the creatures of God. And had we not had such a Saviour, and had we not been redeemed at an infinite price, we should, to use the nervous language of Milton (John Milton who wrote Paradise Lost), on another occasion, "after a shameful life and end in this world, have been thrown down eternally into the darkest and deepest gulf of hell, where, under the despiteful control, the trample and spurn, of all the other damned, and in the anguish of their torture should have no other case than to exercise a raving and bestial tyranny over us as their slaves, we must have remained in that plight forever, the basest, the lower most, the most dejected, most under-foot and down-trodden vassals of perdition."

But how was a person of such infinite dignity suitable to us? His greatness is put in opposition to our meanness. HE was holy; WE, unholy. HE was harmless; WE, harmful, injuring both ourselves and others. HE was undefiled; WE, defiled, most sinfully spotted and impure. HE was separate from sinners; WE were joined to sinners, companions of the vile, the worthless, the profane, and the wicked. HE was higher than the heavens; WE, baser and lower than the earth, totally unworthy to be called the creatures of God. And had we not had such a Saviour, and had we not been redeemed at an infinite price, we should, to use the nervous language of Milton on another occasion, "after a shameful life and end in this world, have been thrown down eternally into the darkest and deepest gulf of hell, where, under the despiteful control, the trample and spurn, of all the other damned, and in the anguish of their torture should have no other case than to exercise a raving and bestial tyranny over us as their slaves, we must have remained in that plight forever, the basest, the lower most, the most dejected, most under-foot and down-trodden vassals of perdition."

We were doomed to hell because of our sin…But God, in His love for us, sent His Son to pay the price for our sins and thank God that He did for without Him, we would surely be lost.