Treasuring Jesus Our High Priest | Hebrews 7:1–28

Scripture reading

Hebrews Overview Graphic

Jesus, the Son

Superior to angels (1-2)

Superior to Moses (3-4)

Superior High Priest (5-7)

Superior sacrifice (8-10)

Today I get to talk to you about Melchizedek the Priest.

Here’s why Melchizedek is very important to understand - it will help us go deeper in understanding who Jesus is and therefore it will help us grow and mature in our faith walk.

“About this [Melchizedek] we have much to say...” (Hebrews 5:11)

Melchizedek is solid food (Hebrews 5:12)

Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood.

Through logic, the writers of Hebrews points out that Melchizedek is superior to Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20)

Melchizedek meets Abraham who was returning from victory in battle.

Hebrews 7:4 “See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!”

Hebrews 7:6-7 “But [Melchizedek] received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior.”

Melchizedek is also superior to Levi - the tribe where all the priests come from (genealogy)

Hebrews 7:3 “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.”

Hebrews 7:9-10 “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.”

What is the point of proving that Melchizedek is greater than the Levitical priesthood?

It is meant to show that Jesus is greater the entire Levitical priesthood because he is a high priest not according to Levi, but according to Melchizedek.

The author of Hebrews quotes a prophecy found in Psalm 110:4 “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.””

He quotes this prophecy in chapters 5, 6 & 7 (Hebrews 5:6, 10; 6:20; 7:17; 21)

Jesus is a much superior high priest. Why does this matter? Audience is going through trials and the temptation of going back to the old Levitical system of worship and priesthood.

Don’t give up! You have a great High Priest who is able to deal with your problems and your sin.

Jesus is our High priest who introduces a better hope.

Our world desperately needs hope. We need someone to rescue us from the mess we find ourselves in. The Bible speaks clearly that we have a sin problem.

Hebrews 7:18-19 “ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); [ it reveals sin, but it cannot save sinners] but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”

A better hope: Jesus our High Priest made it possible for us to draw near to God.

Here’s why this is wonderful news. The OT speak about “drawing near” to God.

The tabernacle and the priests were appointed by God to serve as mediators between Holy God and sinful man. A priest would approach God on behalf of His people as representatives.

What does a priest do? Hebrews 5:1 “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.”

Hebrews 7:27 “Jesus 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.”

Jesus our High Priest makes it possible for us to draw near to God because of what he accomplished for us through his death and resurrection. In Jesus, we have better access to God than OT believers ever had.

The implication is that we are invited to draw near to the throne of grace with confidence to receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)

The audience is going through trials - a time of need.

We are invited to come humbly before the throne of grace, with a repentant and surrendered heart, seeking forgiveness from our High Priest. God wants to transform our hearts as we turn away from our sin and walk in newness of life.

Don’t give up! You have a great High Priest who is able to deal with your problems and your sin.

Jesus is our High Priest forever who intercedes on my behalf

Jesus is our high priest forever for two reasons:

Hebrews 7:21 ““The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’ ””

V. 17 - Jesus became a priest forever by the power of an indestructible life. That is, Jesus defeated death through his resurrection. Death could not hold Jesus back nor destroy his priesthood.

Hebrews 7:23-24 “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.”

What is Jesus our high priest doing now?

I already told what Jesus our High Priest accomplished. He made it possible for us to draw near to God through his death and resurrection.

But what is he doing now? Let me tell you what is he doing now, he is interceding on our behalf.

Hebrews 7:25 “Jesus our High Priest always lives to make intercession for them.”

Romans 8:34 Christ Jesus is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

The verb “to intercede” means to speak to someone on behalf of someone else. (Louw-Nida)

What a wonderful reality! Jesus makes specific requests and petitions before God the Father on our behalf.

Christ continues to intercede on our behalf in heaven because we continue to fail here on earth. Dane Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly: The Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers

It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present to our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers; and that He prays for our protection against the dangers of which we are not even conscious, and against the enemies which threaten us, though we do not notice it. He is praying that our faith may not cease, and that we may come out victoriously in the end. - Louis Berkhof

Don’t give up! You have a great High Priest who is able to deal with your problems and your sin.

Communion is a wonderful reminder of these realities.