Christ's Priesthood Draws Us Near to God

Introduction: The key phrase of this passage is we draw near to God. Not only is it the key phrase here but it is the continual message of the Bible. The Bible is all about God and how He acts in order to bring fallen man into a relationship with Himself. Coming near to God is the most privileged experience of a Christian.

Sometimes we forget this and we become Christians who look to Jesus for salvation and security in life, but it is our goal to see our lives as a continuing and growing relationship with Jesus Christ. How do you think we grow in that relationship? Let me ask you this: if it were possible for you to choose to see Jesus today, would you want to see Him? So, are you committed to seeing Him in His Word? Because that is where we see Him, and as long as we live on this earth that is the only way we see Him. That is, until the end comes and our faith becomes sight. The most meaningful expression of the Christian faith is the privilege and practice of entering into God’s presence.

Judaism was limited in this. Judaism brought a man into the Holy of Holies once a year, but in the New Covenant complete entrance is possible because of the blood of Jesus.

The design of is to show this truth and encourage the Jews to leave the old system and come to the new and better one. The writer of Hebrews point out the imperfections of the Aaronic priesthood and proves that it had to be replaced with a better priesthood.

Access Perfected

In Hebrews the term perfect refers to a mature faith and the writer of Hebrews defines a mature faith as a faith which provides access to God. An open, accessible relationship with God was always the plan of God, and the Old Testament acknowledged that the Old Covenant was not a completed faith because the Old Testament predicted that a Messiah would come and establish a new priesthood.

The Levitical Priesthood could not provide access to God but Jesus could.

John 14:6 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

A Change Effected

The priesthood has now been changed or replaced. Christianity replaces the practices of Judaism, and because the law and the priesthood were so closely connected the law has also been changed. The law can be referred to in a few ways: 1). the Decalogue 2). The Pentateuch 3). The Old Testament and 4). The rituals, practices, and ceremonies of the priesthood. I believe the context makes clear that the law that was done away with is the law that pertains to the priesthood. If the priesthood is totally replaced then so is all the law that pertains to it.

God’s moral law, however, is expressed in the Old Testament and stands forever. What would be some examples of things we see in the Old Testament that would be part of the moral law?

Jesus makes clear in the Sermon on the Mount that the moral law of God is not only maintained but elevated.

God the Father clearly told Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration that they were to follow the Son and the Son alone.

In order to avoid any confusion, Jesus did not come from the tribe of Levi but from the tribe of Judah which had nothing to do with priestly service at the altar.

The Priesthood Perfected

He is of a different quality and quantity.

He arises of Himself.

He has the power of an endless life.

He has fully brought us to God

Conclusion: Illustration of engaged poor woman.