· Chapters 1-2 – Superior to Angels and the Torah
· Chapters 3-4 – Superior to Moses and the Promise Land
· Chapters 5-7 – Superior to Melchizedek and the Priests
· Chapters 8-10 – Superior to Sacrifices and Covenants
Hebrews 7:1-3 – For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of God Most High, met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means king of righteousness, then also, king of Salem, meaning king of peace. 3 Without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.
What is the importance of Melchizedek (Gen. 14)
· Melech – King / Zedek - Righteousness
· Salem – Peace
· No Genealogy – Became representative of no beginning & no end -> Eternal
· Abraham tithed to Melchizedek and Melchizedek blessed Abraham -> Stating the superiority of Melchizedek to the great father of the Hebrew people – The superior blessed the inferior in Hebrew culture
The idea being pushed in this passage about Jesus’ priesthood:
· It is a priesthood of righteousness
· It is a priesthood of peace
· It is a royal priesthood
· It is based on personal identity and not inheritance
· It is eternal -> Without end
Abraham -> Great
Melchizedek -> Greater
Jesus -> Greatest
Hebrews 7:11-19 – Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests. 15 And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it has been testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. 18 So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable 19 (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
“Perfection” - Completeness – The idea is of a plan that has been set forth to accomplish something. Speaks of a process in order to obtain a goal.
N.T. Wright - “The world is God’s great project. Just as a bride and bridegroom plan their wedding day, and work to make it perfect, God is working at bringing his world to perfection and doing what is necessary to make it complete.”
“Weakness” – Speaks of lack, in-efficient, not complete
“The Law” – Mosaic law -> 10 commandments -> 600+ under the Levitical order
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
Hebrews 7:22-25 – Because of this oath, Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. 24 But because he remains forever, he holds his priesthood permanently. 25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, since he always lives to intercede for them.
*This new covenant is said to be a “Better Covenant” by the writer of Hebrews. The point is that it is better because:
· Jesus is the one who is keeping the covenant. (Next week)
· Jesus is alive and lives eternally
· Jesus has made a way for all to enter into this covenant (Based solely on Faith & Grace)
· Jesus is working (interceding) to keep those who enter this covenant from falling away
Hebrews 7:26-8:2 - 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. 27 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. 28 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. 8:1 Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands. (NLT)