There are denominations today which either have not read the Book of Hebrews or do not believe it at all. The writer of this book has shown that believers have a superior priesthood, and Jesus Christ is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchisedec.
The Jews had a priesthood after the order of Aaron, but that priesthood has ended. When Jesus died, rose from the dead, and ascended back to Heaven, He was High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. As such, Jesus is High Priest for both Jews and Gentiles. The priesthood of the denominations is neither after the order of Aaron nor after the order of Melchisedec.
In verses 1-10 of this chapter, the writer presented the historical argument that we have a superior priesthood. In this lesson, the writer presented the doctrinal and practical argument to show that the priesthood of Jesus is superior to the priesthood of Aaron. Therefore, the believing Jews had 108
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not lost anything in receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour. In fact, they had so much more in Jesus that there was no need for them to go back to the old priesthood.
THE DOCTRINAL ARGUMENT: JESUS CHRIST AND AARON
Verses 11-15: 11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for
under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another
priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order
of Aaron? 12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a
change also of the law. 13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to
another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. 14For it is evident
that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood. 15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
In this section, the writer took his argument one step further beyond the historical argument. Not only is Melchisedec greater than Aaron, but Melchisedec has replaced Aaron. It is no longer "the order of Aaron" or "the order of Levi". It is forever "the order of Melchisedec." Why would God make such a radical change?
Because both the Priesthood and the Law were imperfect (Verses 1-14). The words translated
"perfect" and "perfection" are key words in this book. (See Chapter 2:10; 5:9; 6:1; 7:11; 9:9; 10:1, 14). They essentially mean "completed, fulfilled." The Old Testament priest could not by their ministry complete the work of God in the heart of the worshipper. Chapter 7:19, "For the law
made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto
God." The animal sacrifices could not give any worshipper a perfect standing before God (Hebrews 10:1-3; Galatians 3:19-4:7).
Hebrews 10:1-3: 1For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not
the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered
year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2For then would they
not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should
have had no more conscience of sins. 3But in those sacrifices there is a
remembrance again made of sins every year.
Galatians 3:19-4:7: 19Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it
was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20Now a mediator is not a
mediator of one, but God is one. 21Is the law then against the promises of God?
God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily
righteousness should have been by the law. 22But the scripture hath concluded all
under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe. 23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith
which should afterwards be revealed. 24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster
to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is
come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 26For ye are all the children of God
by faith in Christ Jesus. 27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor
free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29And if
ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise….
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1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant,
though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time
appointed of the father. 3Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage
under the elements of the world: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God
sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5To redeem them that
were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6And because ye
are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba,
Father. 7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an
heir of God through Christ.
The Law of Moses made no provision for a priesthood from the tribe of Judah (Verse l4). Since our High Priest is from the tribe of Judah, according to His human ancestry, then there must have been a change in the law (Verse l2). The entire system of the Old Testament Law has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ and has been taken out of the way. Colossians 2:13-14, "And you, being dead in your sins and
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all
trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to
us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross." The believer has been set free from the Law (Galatians 5:1-6) and is dead to the Law (Romans 7:1-4).
Galatians 5:1-6: 1Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2Behold, I Paul say unto
you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. 3For I testify again to
every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4Christ is
become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen
from grace. 5For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision;
but faith which worketh by love.
Romans 7:1-4: 1Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how
that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2For the woman which
hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the
husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her
husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but
if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though
she be married to another man. 4Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to
the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who
is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
This new arrangement does not suggest that a Christian has the right to be lawless. "Free from the Law"
does not mean "free to sin." Rather, it means that we are free to do the will of God. We obey, not because of the outward compulsion, but because of inward constraint. 2 Corinthians 5:14, "For
the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead."
(See Ephesians 6:6). The indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the "righteousness of the Law" as we yield ourselves to Him (Romans 8:1-4).
Ephesians 6:6: Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ,
doing the will of God from the heart;
Romans 8:1-4: 1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.2For the law of the Spirit of
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life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the
law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit.
Because being imperfect, the priesthood and the Law could not continue forever (Verses 15 -19).
Verses 15 -19: 15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of
Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16Who is made, not after the law of a
carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. 17For he testifieth,
Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 18For there is verily a
disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and
unprofitableness thereof. 19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in
of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The word another (Greek, heteros) in verse 5 means "another of a different kind." The Levitical priests were made priest by the authority of a temporary and imperfect law. Jesus Christ was made Priest by a declaration of God the Father. Since Jesus Christ is a Priest forever, and since He has a nature to match that eternal priesthood, he can never be replaced. The annulling (verse 8, disannulling) of the Law meant the abolishing of the priesthood. But nobody can annul "the power of an endless life." The Logic holds: Jesus Christ is a Priest forever.
The writer kept in mind the temptation his readers were facing to go back into the old temple system.
This is why he reminded them (verse 19) that Jesus Christ has accomplished what the Law could never accomplish. He brought in a better hope, and He enabled us to draw near to God. To go back to Judaism would mean losing the enjoyment of their fellowship with God through Christ. The only hope Judaism had was the coming of Jesus Christ and that blessing these believers had already.
God's oath cannot be broken (Verses 20-22; Hebrews 6:13-20). No priest in the order of Aaron was ever ordained and established on the basis of God's personal oath. The Aaronic priests ministered "after the Law of a carnal (physical) commandment" (Verse l6). Their moral or spiritual fitness was not examined. The important thing was that a priest belonged to the right tribe and met the right physical and ceremonial requirements.
Verses 20-22: 20And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21(For
those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said
unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the
order of Melchisedec:) 22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better
testament.
Hebrews 6:13-20: 13For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could
swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee,
and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15And so, after he had patiently endured, he
obtained the promise. 16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17Wherein God, willing more
abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel,
confirmed it by an oath: 18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible
for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay
hold upon the hope set before us: 19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,
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both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20Whither the
forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order
of Melchisedec.
Jesus Christ's heavenly Priesthood was established on the basis of His work on the Cross, His character (Hebrews 2:10; 5:5-10), and the Oath of God. "Thou art a Priest after the
order of Melchisedec." (Verse 21; Psalm 110:4). Note the introduction of the statement:
"The Lord swore and will not repent (change His mind)." The matter is finally settled and cannot be changed, (cf. Hebrews 6:13-20).
Psalm 110:4: The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest
for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
The presence of this oath gives the Priesthood of our Lord a greater degree of permanence and assurance. Jesus Christ is the "surety of a better testament (or covenant)" (Verse 22). The word
"surety" (Greek, egguos—yielding a pledge, a bondsman, a surety) means "one who guarantees that the terms of an agreement will be carried out." Judah was willing to be the surety for Benjamin, to guarantee to their father that the boy would return home safely (Genesis 43:1-4). Paul was willing to be the surety for the slave Onesimus (Philemon 18, 19). Perhaps the nearest equivalent we have today is a bondsman who posts bail for someone under indictment and guarantees that the indicted person will appear in court to stand trial.
Genesis 43:1-4: 1And the famine was sore in the land. 2And it came to pass,
when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their
father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. 3And Judah spake unto
him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my
face, except your brother be with you. 4If thou wilt send our brother with us, we
will go down and buy thee food:
Philemon 18, 19: 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on
mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit
I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.
As the Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5, 6), Jesus Christ is God's great Surety. Our risen and ever living Saviour guarantees that the terms of God's Covenant will be fulfilled completely. God will not abandon His people. Our Lord not only guarantees to us that God will fulfill the promises, but as our Representative before God, He perfectly meets the terms of the agreement on our behalf. By ourselves, we could never meet the terms; but because we have trusted in Him, He has saved us, and He has guaranteed that He will keep us.
1 Timothy 2:5, 6: 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due
time.
The writer has given three reasons why God changed the order of the priesthood from that of Aaron to that of Melchisedec:
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1. The priesthood and the Law were imperfect.
2. Being imperfect, they could not continue forever.
3. God had sworn by His Oath that the new order would be established.
Now, let us note a fourth reason.
Because, being men, the priest died (Verses 23-25). Not only was the priesthood imperfect, but it was also interrupted by death. There were many high priests because no one priest could live forever. In contrast, we have one High Priest, Jesus the Son of God, who lives forever. An unchanging priest means an unchangeable priesthood, and this means security and confidence for God's people. "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8). "Thou art a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec" (Psalm 110:4: Hebrews 7:21).
The fact that the unchanging Christ continues as High Priest means, logically, that there is an
"unchangeable priesthood." (Verse 24). The Greek word translated "unchangeable" carries the idea of
"valid and unalterable." Because our Lord's priesthood is valid and unalterable, we can have confidence in the midst of this shaking and changing world.
Note the conclusion stated in Verse 25. " Wherefore (because He is the ever living, unchanging High Priest ) He is able to save them to the uttermost (completely, forever) that come unto God by Him,
seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." The emphasis of this verse is on the fact that He saves completely, all who put their faith in him. Because he is our High Priest forever, He can save forever (2 Corinthians 1:9, 10).
2 Corinthians 1:9, 10: 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust
in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: 10Who delivered us from so great a death, and
doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us;
Verse 25 speaks of Christ's work on the behalf of the saved, not the unsaved. The basis for this completed salvation is the heavenly intercession of the Saviour. The word translates "make intercession" simply means "to meet, to approach, to appeal, to make petition." We must not imagine that God the Father is angry with us so that God the Son must constantly appeal to Him not to judge us.
The Father and the Son are in total agreement in the plan of salvation (Hebrews 13:20, 21). Neither should we imagine our Lord Jesus Christ uttering prayers on our behalf in heaven or repeatedly
"offering His blood" as a sacrifice. That work was completed on the Cross once and for all.
Hebrews 13:20, 21: 20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our
Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, 21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that
which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen.
Intercession involves our Lord's representation of His people at the throne of God. Through Christ, believers are able to draw near to God the Father in prayer and also to offer spiritual sacrifices (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Peter 2:5). It has been well said that Christ's life in Heave is His prayer for us. It is what He is that determines what He does (Romans 8:26, 27).
1 Peter 2:5: Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
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Romans 8:26, 27: 26Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know
not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27And he that searcheth the hearts
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints
according to the will of God.
THE PRACTICAL ARGUMENT: CHRIST AND THE BELIEVER
Verse 26-28: 26For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless,
undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27Who
needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins,
and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28For
the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath,
which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
No matter how devoted and obedient the Aaronic priests were, they could not always meet the needs of the people. But Jesus Christ perfectly meets all of our needs. Verse 26, "For such an High Priest
became us" means "He was suited to us or He was fitting for us." This means that He meets our needs completely. The emphasis here is on His sinlessness. Being perfect, He is able to exercise a prefect ministry for his people. Because of their sins, some of the Old Testament priests not only were unable to serve the people, but they actually abused them. This could never happen with Jesus and his people.
The Old Testament priests were 'set apart" for their ministry, so in that sense they were "holy."
But they were not always holy in their character. They were sinners like the people to whom and for whom they ministered. "Harmless" (Verse 26) means "blameless." No Jewish priest could claim this distinction. "Undefiled" means "unstained." Again, only Jesus Christ can claim these characteristics. He is "separate from sinners," because His position (made higher than the heavens); but He is not separated from the people to whom He ministers. He is always available to us at His throne of grace.
Another proof of His sinlessness is the fact that our Lord never had to offer sacrifices for His own cleansing as the Levitical priests did. On the annual Day of Atonement, the high priest had to sacrifice for himself before he could sacrifice for the people. (Leviticus 16). There were also daily sacrifices offered as a part of the temple services, and if a priest had sinned, he had to bring a sacrifice for his own cleansing. (Leviticus 4:3ff; Exodus 29:38-46). But Jesus Christ offered just one sacrifice for our sins and settled the matter forever (Hebrews 9:23-28).
Leviticus 4:3: If the priest that is anointed do sin according to the sin of the
people; then let him bring for his sin, which he hath sinned, a young bullock
without blemish unto the LORD for a sin offering.
Exodus 29:38-46: 38Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two
lambs of the first year day by day continually. 39The one lamb thou shalt offer
in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: 40And with the one
lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil;
and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. 41And the other lamb
thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of
the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an
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offering made by fire unto the LORD. 42This shall be a continual burnt offering
throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation
before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee. 43And there
I will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by
my glory. 44And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar:
I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's
office. 45And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God.
46And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth
out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their
God.
Hebrews 9:23-28: 23It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should
be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the
true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: 25Nor yet that he
should offer himself often, as the high priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood
of others; 26For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now
once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27And
as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28So Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second
time without sin unto salvation.
This is the kind of High Priest we need. We are prone to sin daily, and we need to be able to turn to Him for spiritual help. As our High Priest, Jesus Christ gives us the grace and mercy that we need not to sin. But if we do sin, He is our Advocate at God's Throne (1 John 2:1, 2). If we confess our sins to Him, He forgives us and restores us (1 John 1:9).
1 John 2:1, 2: 1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also
for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
CONCLUSION
Believers have a superior Priesthood in Jesus Christ who is a priest after the order of Melchisedec.
He has offered a superior sacrifice. He is superior because He is an unchanging Priest and is a Priest forever. He is a sinless Priest and is fitting for our need. Have you confessed that you are a sinner before God? Have you received His forgiveness?
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