Hebrews 7:20-28

The Author is Showing Us a Shadow of Jesus in Melchizedek

The Goal of this Sermon is to Encourage Hebrew Christians to:

Stay Faithful to Jesus

Not Turn Back to Judaism

To Recognize the Superiority of Jesus to All that is Under the Old Covenant

The Point of Chapter 7 is that Jesus’ Priesthood is Superior to the Levitical Priesthood

And We See that Through the Type of Melchizedek

Melchizedek’s Priesthood was Greater Than the Levitical One…

At Least Figuratively/Symbolically

But Everything that was Figurative/Symbolic About Melchizedek…

Is a Reality in Jesus

King of Righteousness

King of Peace

Not of the Levitical Priestly Line

Is Eternal - Without Beginning or End

Priesthood is Perpetual/Never Ends

Greater Than Abraham

Priesthood is Greater than the Levitical Priesthood

Hebrews 7:11–19 (NLT)

So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?

And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Before We Move to the Next Passage, I Want to Look at Verses 18-19…

Because Last Time We Had to Speed Through Them

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NASB95)

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

On the One Hand and On the Other Hand was a Common Greek Way of Comparing 2 Things

When this Way of Comparison is Used…

The Emphasis is Always On “the Other Hand”

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NASB95)

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

“Setting Aside” = To Cancel/Annul Something

The Old Law (Specifically the Law of the Levitical Priesthood) was Cancelled/Annulled

Why?

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NASB95)

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

In What Way was the Law Weak and Useless?

Because, as We Saw in Verse 11, it was Incapable of Bringing About the Desired End

The Old Law and Levitical Priesthood Were Not Capable of:

Entering Behind the Veil into God’s Presence to Be a Perpetual Priesthood for the Humanity…

And Reconcile Us Back to a Close, Intimate, Everlasting Relationship with God

The Levitical Priesthood was Weak and Useless…

Because it Could Not Bring Us to that Desired End

The Old Law and Priesthood Were On the One Hand…

Now Let’s See What’s On the Other

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NASB95)

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

The New High Priesthood Brings a Better Hope

What is the Better Hope?

It’s Already Been Referred to in Hebrews 6:19-20

Hebrews 6:19–20 (NASB95)

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The Better Hope We Have Under Jesus’ High Priesthood…

Is the Hope of Having a Forerunner Who Has Entered into God’s Heavenly Presence…

To Provide Us a Way into His Presence as Well

The Levitical High Priest Would Enter Behind the Veil of the Tabernacle/Temple…

But He Could Only Do that Once a Year…

And Only He was Ever Allowed to Enter

The Desired End is that We All Get to Once Again Live in God’s Holy Presence

Only Jesus’ High Priesthood Makes This a Reality

Hebrews 7:18–19 (NASB95)

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

Because We Have this Hope of a Forerunner in God’s Presence for Us…

We Draw Near to God

This Hope is Our Source of Confidence to Draw Near to God

Knowing Jesus is There On My Behalf, Interceding for Me…

I Can Approach God with Confidence

This Hope Doesn’t Just Give Us the Confidence to Draw Near to God…

It is What Makes Drawing Near to God Possible

Without Jesus as Our High Priest and Intercessor in the Presence of God…

We Would Have No Way of Drawing Near to God

Jesus’ High Priesthood Gives Us the Way and the Confidence…

To Approach God and Have a Close, Intimate, Everlasting Relationship with Him

That was Impossible Under the Old System

Hebrews 7:20–28 (NLT)

This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ” Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven.

Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins.

The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Hebrews 7:20–21 (NASB95)

And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ ”);

The Hebrew Author Has Talked a Lot About Oaths Lately

In Chapter 6, We Were Told that God Cannot Lie, His Word is Unbreakable

So, On Top of that, When God Swears By an Oath, His Word is Even More Unbreakable

And Now, the Author Finally Gives Us the First Line of His Quote From Psalm 110:4

Up to this Point He has Only Quoted From the Last 2 Lines

He was Building Up to this Point

“When God Swears By an Oath, it’s a BIG Deal”

“And God Swore By an Oath that His Messiah Would Be a Priest Forever”

The Old Levitical Priesthood was Established Without an Oath

But Jesus’ Priesthood was Established with an Oath

Following the Author’s Logic Tells Us:

Jesus’ Priesthood is More Certain and Firmly Established than the Levitical Priesthood

Hebrews 7:22 (NASB95)

so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

Because of this Oath Which God Made…

Jesus has Become the Guarantee of a Better Covenant

Through God’s Oath to Make Jesus High Priest…

Jesus Has Also Become the Guarantee of a Better Covenant

Verse 12 Told Us that a Change in the Priesthood Will Also Result in a Change of Law

A New Covenant Must Be Made Between God and His People

Because of God’s Oath We Can Be Absolutely Sure that Jesus is High Priest

And Since We Can Be Absolutely Sure that Jesus is High Priest…

We Can Be Absolutely Sure that He has Established a Better Covenant with His People

Hebrews 7:23–24 (NASB95)

The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.

The Levitical Priests Were Mortal Men and Could Never Serve Perpetually

But Jesus, Being Resurrected to Eternal Life, Remains Our High Priest Permanently

“Permanently” = aparabatos - Something that Cannot Be Transgressed or Broken

Jesus’ Priesthood Cannot Be Transgressed or Broken

It Will Go On and On, Never Ending, Never Being Superseded

Hebrews 7:25 (NASB95)

Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

“Therefore” - Because Jesus’ Priesthood Continues Forever…

He is Able to Save Completely/Forever…

Those Who are Continually Drawing Near to God Through Allegiance to Jesus

How?

Because “He Always Lives...”

He is Alive Forever

“To Make Intercession for Them”

He Prays to God On Our Behalf for Our Salvation

Those Who Give Their Lives to Jesus Can Know for Certain…

That He is Currently Advocating for Their Salvation

And as Long as They Keep Drawing Near to God Through Faith in Jesus…

They Can Rest Assured that He Always Will

This Tells Us Something Very Important About the Gospel

Our Salvation Isn’t Dependent Only On Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection

Our Salvation is Dependent On His Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Continual Intercession On Our Behalf…

In the Most Holy Place of Heaven as Our High Priest

Paul Makes the Same Point in Romans 8:33-34

Romans 8:33–34 (NASB95)

Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Our Salvation Depends On, Not Only What Jesus Did…

But What Jesus is Doing Right Now

He Lives Forever to Pray for Our Salvation On Our Behalf

A Scottish Preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne, Once Said:

“If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.”

Here’s the Message to These Hebrew Christians:

“If You Turn Your Back On Jesus, and Return to Moses and the Levitical Priesthood…”

“Then You are Forfeiting the Intercession and Advocacy Jesus Provides as the Superior High Priest”

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Holy” = Faithfulness to the Covenant

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Innocent” = Pure in Motives

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

“Undefiled” = Pure in Actions

These First 3 Adjectives Describe Jesus’ Relationship with God, Others, and Himself

He is Faithful to the Covenant, Pure in Motives, and Pure in Actions

The Last 2 Phrases Describe His Present Status

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

He is Physically Separated From Sinful Humanity Because He is Exalted Above the Heavens…

In Most Holy Place of Heaven

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

The Author Used this Phrase “For it was Fitting” in Hebrews 2:10

Hebrews 2:10 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

What was Fitting for God to Do in this Verse?

It was Fitting for Him to Perfect the Author of Salvation Through Sufferings

For What Reason?

To Bring Many Sons to Glory

God Wants to Bring Us to Glory/Save Us

Hebrews 7:26 (NASB95)

For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;

Why was it Fitting for us to Have Such a High Priest?

The Answer is Still the Same

It was Fitting for Us to Have Jesus as Our High Priest…

Because God Wants to Bring Us to Glory

But Why Did We Need a High Priest that is Holy, Innocent, Undefiled, Separated From Sinners, and Exalted Above the Heavens?

Hebrews 7:27 (NASB95)

who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Because He Wouldn’t Need to Offer Sacrifices for His Own Sins Before Offerings Sacrifices for Ours

He was Already Perfect

He was Already in a Perfect Relationship with Our God and Judge

And Through His One and Only Sacrifice of Himself…

He is Able to Bring Many Sons to Glory/Save Forever Those Who Draw Near to God Through Him

Who Would You Rather Have Interceding and Advocating for You Before a Holy God?

A Sinner Like You Who Also Needs an Intercessor and Advocate?

Or a Perfectly Righteous and Holy Man Who Has a Spotless Relationship with God?

Hebrews 7:28 (NASB95)

For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Here, the Author Wraps Up Everything He’s Taught Us in this Section On Melchizedek

“Word of the Oath”

Unlike with the Levitical Priesthood, God Swore By an Oath that His Son/Messiah Would Be Priest Forever

“Perfect”

Unlike the Levitical Priesthood, Jesus was Perfect

“Forever”

Unlike the Levitical Priesthood, Jesus is Alive Forever and Priest Forever