HEBREWS CHAPTER 7 PART 4 15 That the priesthood has…

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HEBREWS CHAPTER 7

PART 4

15 That the priesthood has completely changed is clearer when you consider that a different priest has arisen. One who fulfills the type of Melchizedec; 16 one who didn’t become a priest on the basis of human descent as set forth in the Jewish code, but on the basis off the indestructible life within Him. 17 We are convinced because of what God said of Him: “You are a Priest forever in the order of Melchizedec.” 18 We see then, that as the old Levitical system has been cancelled because it was powerless and ineffective. 19 Like the Law of Moses, it couldn’t bring anyone to God. But now we have a better hope, one through which we can draw close to God.

When God appoints someone to be the high priest of His people, and that Someone is OUTSIDE of the established Jewish order, it is obvious He is changing the entire program.

This is the truth that comes forth loud and clear from the 110th Psalm.

The fact that a new priest is even necessary implies the inferiority of the Old Jewish order.

But the Messiah (Jesus) was not just another priest—-He was a DIFFERENT KIND of priest.

Just how different He was from the order of Aaron is what we need to see.

First, Jesus was a priest in the likeness of Melchizedec rather than Aaron, that is, He did not come to His office because a Law put Him there.

The Law of Moses required those in the line of Aaron to serve as priest whether they wanted to or not.

Whether or not they were fit for the position wasn’t even considered.

The mere fact that they descended from Levi made it mandatory.

Jesus didn’t inherit His job.

He was appointed to it—-the same as Melchizedec—-because of the greatness of His Person.

Secondly, Jesu’ priesthood was based on the life that was in Him, not His physical descent from anyone.

Here was a life that could not be overcome by either sin or death.

What’s more, He had the power to transmit this life to those who believed in Him.

Thus He could do what no Jewish priest could ever do—-give life to people that neither sin nor death could overcome.

And since His life is not limited by time, His priesthood continues forever.

Paul says that the Jewish system has been cancelled because it was powerless to bring men to God.

At the same time he doesn’t mean to belittle the Old Testament program.

It was established by God and served a useful purpose, a glorious purpose, in fact.

True, it didn’t provide a way to God but it did dramatize that man is a sinner and needs God’s mercy.

All of those animals slain for over 1400 years surely did teach that the “wages of sin is death.”

That, in turn, paved the way for the gospel and the perfect sacrifice (Jesus) that was to come.

The Old Testament program what a beautiful symbol of what God would do through Christ.

We must not think though, that the Old Testament saints didn’t know God’s forgiveness or His presence.

The Psalms say they did Psalm 32:1.

David found it impossible to escape from God’s presence Psalm 139:7.

God’s presence has always been available to those who put their trust in Him.

But they had to do so apart from the religious system of Israel, for the Jewish priesthood didn’t help anyone enjoy God’s presence.

It did just the opposite.

It caused man to stand at a distance from Him.

The awesome ceremonies with only the high priest going into the most holy place, tended to make people fear the presence of God.

It taught them that sin separates from God.

Yet those who laid hold of the promises of God knew His presence in spite of the barrier the Jewish legal system created.

Even so, that system demonstrated the fact a “better hope” was needed and coming.

Mention of the word “hope” reminds us of the closing words of the last chapter.

There we are told that Jesus is”the hope that is set before us.”

The Lord Jesus, with His priesthood, is that “better hope.”

God never takes away anything from His people; but what He replaces it with something better.

So, when the 110th Psalm announced the end of the Jewish priesthood, it also announced a better one at the same time.

The better one is what we now have in Christ.

That it is indeed a better one is clear when we consider that Jesus actually does for men what the Old Jewish priesthood was supposed to do—-bring men to God.

By His death on the cross (the perfect sacrifice) the Lord atone for all the sin of all of us Isaiah 53:6.

But of course, we still sin.

Being saved does not make us sinless.

We still sin, and when we do we feel guilty.

For sinners to be comfortable in the presence of God, requires a constant cleansing of the conscience.

That’s what Jesus does as our high priest.

His blood removes all of the feelings of guiltiest and the FEAR that goes with them.

With our conscience continually washed by His blood we can rush into the arms of God without fear.

This is what the people of the Old Testament longed for, but never received under the Jewish priesthood.

It is now available under the priesthood of Jesus, for His priesthood is the real thing.