Sunday Morning Service (Hebrews 7)

Hebrews 7

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“The Superior Priesthood Of Jesus” • 1.21.17 • Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro

- Our author introduced the theme of Christ's High Priesthood back in chapter 4:14 and begins to mention "the order of Melchizedek in chapter 5.

- In 5:11, he tells them that he has much to say about Melchizedek, but it will be hard to explain because of their dulled hearing caused by their spiritual immaturity.

- We find ourselves in chapter 7, and the return to the explanation of Christ's High Priesthood, which followed in this man's order. But why was this necessary?

- What made this Priesthood superior to that of the Levitical priesthood? He provides four reasons here, beginning in verse 1. Melchizedek's order predated the Levitical priesthood.

Text

• Hebrews 7:1-3 : "For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated 'king of righteousness,' and then also king of Salem, meaning 'king of peace,' without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually." : Our author refers to an account found in Genesis 14. The information here is a brief restatement of what occurred there.

- The "slaughter of the Kings" was a geo-political event that intersected with Abraham when his nephew Lot was captured and taken prisoner by the victors. His sole agenda was to rescue him.

- Accompanied by only 318 trained men, God graciously allowed Abraham's short-sighted plan to succeed. After the battle, Melchizedek rises out from the settling dust to meet with Abraham.

• Genesis 14:18-20 : "Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And he gave him a tithe of all." : Aside from this text and our text today, Melchizedek is mentioned only once more in Psalm 110, a scripture which figures heavily in the mind of our author.

- The author finds significance in his name. "Melchizedek" means "King of Righteousness."

- Notice also the dual role that was assigned to him: He was a King as well as a Priest of the Most High God! To a Jewish person, this was unheard of!

- Kings came from the tribe of Judah and Priests, from the tribe of Levi. Israel's constitution provides the basis for the separation of church and state!

- Kings who attempted to perform Priestly duty fell on hard times. Remember Saul and Uzziah? Melchizedek, the King of Righteousness comfortably governs the land of Peace!

- It's no doubt that this refers to ancient Jerusalem before Israel had conquered Canaan.

- Righteousness and peace! That must be the order. Righteousness must be established if peace is to be experienced! These were hallmarks in the Kingdom that Melchizedek ruled over.

- It was to this man Melchizedek, a Gentile priest of the Most High God, that Abraham paid a tithe! This is significant. Abraham is still without child when he meets him!

- Levi will be born in chapter 29 and Aaron won't be born until the book of Exodus! But there is a Priest that Abraham, the Father of the faith legitimizes with a tithe offering.

- His gift was a token of belief and a recognition of Melchizedek's superiority to him.

- This was a man without a Father or Mother, without a beginning or end! This is often where people get mixed up about Melchizedek. Was this a real person or a Christophany?

- Our author's mention of a lack of geneology or life record simply reflects the biblical data portrait that is provided for him. His point is that this man does not come from a long line of priests.

- The key might be in the word "made like." The word speaks of a facsimile. In fact, many of the other major translations prefer the use of the term "resembling."

- This man was a real historical person who provides an excellent picture that is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

- Christ, the King of Righteousness and peace, whose ministry is symbolized by bread and wine! Let me offer two more points for your consideration that I hope answer your questions.

- During the conquest of the northern portion of Canaan, a King of Jerusalem organizes a defensive treaty against Israeli incursion.

- That King was known as "Adoni-Zedek," "the Lord is righteous." It seems then that the name "Zedek" is a royal name, much like the Philistine "Abimilech" or the Egyptian "Pharaoh."

-  Second, when Jesus does appear in the Old Testament, He appears without a specific Name! He is the "Angel of the Lord" or the "Captain of the Lord's armies."

- But when Jacob and Samson's parents ask for His Name, He declines to give it. (Genesis 32:29, Judges 13:17,18) There is only One Name that deserves our honor!

- Melchizedek was a real man who provides an excellent picture of Christ and a wonderful priesthood for Christ to serve in because his priesthood continues. Verse 4.

• Hebrews 7:4-10 : "Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the

patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better." : How great was Melchizedek?

- Abraham, our Father in the faith, recognized a Priest who had no credentials, as having the authority to minister on behalf of God.

- This is quite different from the Levitical priesthood who received the priesthood, meaning that there was a succession of Levites who were devoted to that work.

- Abraham wasn't concerned about that when he gave his gift to Melchizedek. He didn't object.

- What does that imply? I love how the author answers that! "Beyond all contradiction!"

• Hebrews 7:7 (NLT) : "And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed." : There was no question in Abraham's mind. Melchizedek was to be honored. Melchizedek was superior to him.  

- Abraham didn't argue with Melchizedek because of the great promises that he had. He paid his tithe to God! In that action, Abraham testified to Melchizedek's superiority. Verse 8.

• Hebrews 7:8-10 : "Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him." : In the modern Jewish experience, in their "here," a person would come to the Temple and give a tithe to a Priest that you might meet and then never meet again!

- Scripture "there," speaks of Melchizedek living on! The further implication is that Levi had already surrendered to a greater priesthood because Abraham paid on their behalf!

- This form of argumentation is called "Federal Representation." Levi, indeed the entire Jewish nation, was literally in Abraham when the Patriarch paid his tithe.

 - The Jewish person understood that the representative's actions stood in the place of later generations. We have no problem with this when it comes to Christ's federal representation of us!

- Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood because it predates it and because it is preserved by Priests who cannot die!

- The One who stands to represent it lives forever! He can serve God's people without interruption! But there is far more. Melchizedek's priesthood promises a better hope! Verse 11.

• Hebrews 7:11 : "Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron?" : There was a common misconception about the Priesthood and the law. Somehow, a right standing, a "perfection" was to be gained through it.

- If you and I were able to be complete before God through the Levitical system, which also ran with the power of the Law, then why was it necessary for another Priestly order?

- Why would God announce in His Word that His High Priest would serve in the order of Melchizedek? Shouldn't the existing priesthood suffice? The answer is that it did not!

- Completion before God cannot be arrived at through the Levitical system or the law of Moses!

- You and I are settled upon this issue and might even roll our eyes at the repetition of it. The people listening to this letter at this time were set back on their heels in astonishment!

- There is a need for a superior priest and priesthood because the priesthood of our people, of our brethren, is insufficient to the ultimate task! It cannot complete us before the Lord!

- That isn't a knock on the Mosaic law or the Levitical priesthood. If we could conform to the law, it could save us, but we lack the engine, therefore, it is insufficient.

- This is why there needed to be an alternate priesthood and consequent changes to our relationship to it. Verse 12.

• Hebrews 7:12-17 : "For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: 'You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.'" : "The Priesthood has been changed!" The word seems to be literally translated "transferred" or "transported."

- The Priesthood has been swapped out and because of that exchange, there is need for the law to be altered, the first of which was the right of officiating.

- The laws that bound the Levitical priesthood were of no effect toward Melchizedek's order. Jesus, according to His humanity descended from Judah. Moses didn't cover this!

- His law covers mortal men whose priestly service came to an end in their 50's and then came to an ultimate end with their death.

- Once a Levite died, the fleshly commandment was that another Levite was to take his place. That man could be a great priest or a lame one. All that mattered was that he was a Levite.

- It takes much more to be a priest in Melchizedek's order. That priest needed to have an eternal life! Once you are serving as a Priest in Melchizedek's order, you serve forever! Verse 18.

• Hebrews 7:18,19 : "For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God."  : The change that our author was talking about comes in the annulling of the former commandment regarding the Levitical priesthood.

- The former commandment has been cancelled, put away because it was weak, the picture being related to a person described in the throes of an illness. It was weak and worthless!

- What a jarring, but true statement! Those that held their loyalty to the commandment regarding the priesthood, held it out of loyalty.

- "This is our heritage." "This is what our parents taught us." "This is all we have ever known!" Doesn't that sound familiar? A cultural loyalty that runs deeper than the acknowledgement of truth?

- Certainly, in the privacy of their hearts, they had to question the efficacy of the Priesthood, mainly because of their consistent need to return to sacrifice on a consistent basis!

- The person had to admit to themselves that they observed no change. They knew that they were incomplete! They would have to confess to you the truth that the law made nothing perfect!

- On the one hand, God announcing a new priesthood is an announcement that the old priesthood has been set aside. On the other hand, there is the introduction of a superior hope!

- What is that hope? The hope of actually drawing near to God! That is what the entire Priesthood existed to furnish. But this is different!

- If anything, the Levitical Priesthood revealed how distant God was to His people. You could not come without a sacrifice and when you brought it, you could only go as far as the Priest.

- Behind the Priest was a restricted area reserved for certain priests and behind that restricted area, there was an even more restricted area reserved for a single priest and only once a year!

- A Jewish person could get close, but not near to God. The order of Melchizedek promises nearness, intimacy with God! Verse 20.

• Hebrews 7:20,21 : "And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: 'The Lord has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’), by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant." : Christ's priesthood is ratified, legitimized by the fact that God Himself had taken a binding oath!

- God has not sworn to the enduring nature of the Priestly office of Levi. On the contrary, He has bound Himself to His own Word, specifically Psalm 110:4 which is quoted here.

- When God puts it down in scripture, know that He will not relent! He has declared that this priesthood will last for eternity!

- When people ask me about the importance of the doctrines related to the inspiration and infallibility of scripture, I think of verses like this! God's Word cannot be broken! He won't give in!

- Last week, we made note of the fact that God made a promise with an oath regarding our status with Him. He makes the same kind of statement regarding the priesthood that Christ serves in!

- How secure does that make the priesthood of Melchizedek? This is what God has decreed!

- Consequently, Jesus, by so much more, has become a surety of a better covenant!

- A person who undertook the role of "surety" became responsible for another person's debt. If an agreement was made, that person would be legally required to appear in court for the other.

- He is the ultimate Co-Signer, the ultimate Guarantor that all will be paid! Verse 23.

• Hebrews 7:22-25 : "Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." : Death is a prominent problem for the Levitical priesthood. Every priest died! Their term forced there to be changes in the priesthood, but not so with the Lord.

- His is an unchangeable priesthood. He will never have to transfer His knowledge of you to another. He will stand as a worthy representative toward God for all eternity!

- Therefore, because He lives forever, Jesus has the ability to save, to deliver, to complete what God intended for His Priesthood.

- For years, I've believed that the "uttermost" had reference to the worst type of sinner. Some Pastors have been fond of saying that Jesus will save to the "Guttermost!"

- While that is true, the word actually speaks to a complete salvation.

- The Priesthood of Christ is not one of temporary, superficial satisfaction. His work promises total transformation to everyone that come to God through Him! Why? Because He intercedes!

- When the word speaks of intercession, you and I think of a series of prayers, like the ones made for our food or our night's sleep.

- It would be better if you thought of stories in the Bible when God determined to destroy Israel because of their rebellion! At that time, Moses stood between God and His intention to destroy.

- Jesus Christ stands between you and the vent of God's wrath for eternity! When Satan brings up our names and the charge is true, Jesus stands up to say "Paid In Full!"

- Melchizedek's priesthood predates the Levitical Priesthood and is preserved by an eternally exsistent Priest. It is superior because it promises a better hope of salvation and intercession.

- Finally, the High Priest is a perfect Priest! Verse 26.

• Hebrews 7:26-28 : "For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever." : Oh, don't you agree with our author! A High Priest that can save to the uttermost is the kind of Priest that we need!

- He is fitting for us! From what I understand, the word speaks of standing out. He stands out as an eminent candidate. He will live forever, but what kind of priest will he be?

- What good is a priest that will live forever that is corrupt or corruptible? There were Levitical priests, Eli's sons for example, who fit that bill. We have no such worries with Christ!

- He is holy, sacred and harmless, without guile or fraud! What a beautiful description. Sin never touched Him and while sinners could approach Him, He was separate from them.

- He had once touched Earth, but now has become higher, more majestic than the heavens!

- He doesn't need the offering to cover for His own sins. He doesn't have any sin to atone for and He doesn't need to provide a sacrifice because He is the sufficient sacrifice for every sinner!

 - Levi's Priesthood couldn't do that. The law appoints weak men, but God's oath demands a Son that has been perfected forever!

- This means that He has been and will always be what He has been! He will always be the Perfect High Priest!

Conclusion
- Christian, you have come into Christ, who is the focal point of a superior Priesthood. It is superior because it predates the Priesthood that would later come through Moses.

- It is superior because it is preserved by an eternal line that cannot be broken! God has sworn to uphold it!

- It is superior because it promises a better hope: Full and complete salvation to all who enter by Jesus Christ, the only One that can stand between God and His people forever!!

- And it is superior because it's office is held by the Perfect Son, who will always be Holy and harmless and who will never need the offering of another! Let's pray!