Hebrews 6:20-7:28 | "Jesus: Our Forerunner" [Live Stream Edition]

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I. Reading of Scripture

Hebrews 6:20–7:28 ESV

20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. 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.

II. Introduction

A. Introduction to Theme

B. Proposition

We draw near to God through the Holy Spirit (a better hope) because Jesus is our forerunner, living forever as high priest of a better order and guarantor of a better covenant.

C. Introduction to Text

III. Exposition | Hebrews (6:20) 7:1-28

A. Hebrews 6:20

1. Hebrews 6:20

Hebrews 6:20 LEB

20 where Jesus, the forerunner for us, entered, because he became a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus is high priest of a different order and that matters for the nearness and frequency of our access to God.

B. Hebrews 7:1-10

2. Hebrews 7:1-3

Hebrews 7:1–3 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.

Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, and like the Son of God his priesthood is eternal in nature.

3. Hebrews 7:4

Hebrews 7:4 ESV

4 See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!

Abraham (the great patriarch) recognized Melchizedek’s greatness and paid him tithes - something we should take notice of!

4. Hebrews 7:5-6

Hebrews 7:5–6 ESV

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.

Levite priests take tithes from their brothers as they are commanded, but Melchizedek (who was not a Levitical priest) received voluntary tithes from Abraham and blessed him.

5. Hebrews 7:7

Hebrews 7:7 ESV

7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.

Abraham is inferior to Melchizedek.

6. Hebrews 7:8

Hebrews 7:8 ESV

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.

Levitical priests are men who will die, but Melchizedek is alive.

7. Hebrews 7:9-10

Hebrews 7:9–10 ESV

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.

Even Levi (who receives tithes) paid tithes to Melchizedek while he was yet unborn in Abraham.

C. Hebrews 7:11-28

i. Hebrews 7:11-22

8. Hebrews 7:11

Hebrews 7:11 ESV

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?

9. Hebrews 7:12

Hebrews 7:12 ESV

12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.

10. Hebrews 7:13

Hebrews 7:13 ESV

13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.

11. Hebrews 7:14

Hebrews 7:14 ESV

14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

12. Hebrews 7:15-16

Hebrews 7:15–16 ESV

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.

13. Hebrews 7:17

Hebrews 7:17 ESV

17 For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

14. Hebrews 7:18-19

Hebrews 7:18–19 ESV

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.

15. Hebrews 7:20-21

Hebrews 7:20–21 ESV

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.’ ”

16. Hebrews 7:22

Hebrews 7:22 ESV

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

ii. Hebrews 7:23-28

17. Hebrews 7:23-25

Hebrews 7:23–25 ESV

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.

18. Hebrews 7:26-27

Hebrews 7:26–27 ESV

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.

19. Hebrews 7:28

Hebrews 7:28 ESV

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.

IV. Conclusion

A. Proposition

We draw near to God through the Holy Spirit (a better hope) because Jesus is our forerunner, living forever as high priest of a better order and guarantor of a better covenant.

B. Application