Better Promises : WK 3 - FRI
(Hebrews 7:15-28)
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.
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.
There are so many tasks that we do that must be repeated consistently, and most of them are not fun. Here is my top 10 of repetitive things that I don’t want to do:
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way that you could do these things once and never have to do them again? Imagine if you washed the dishes once and then they never got dirty again, no matter how many meals you ate on them. Or if you shaved once and the hairs on your face or legs never grew back. Or you cut your hair once and it just stayed like that. We need to get our scientists on this right away.
Because of sin, the priests had to offer sacrifices every day. There was not a day that would pass that a sacrifice wasn’t offered. It had to be done. There was no choice. It was the only way to take care of the sin problem. One sacrifice wasn’t going to be enough.
At least until Jesus showed up. The author of Hebrews lets us know that Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. That means that there is no need for any more sacrifices. Jesus’ life pays for the sins of all, past, present and future. Now all we need to do is accept Jesus as our savior and high priest and all our sin problems are taken care of. That is good news!
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.
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.
There are so many tasks that we do that must be repeated consistently, and most of them are not fun. Here is my top 10 of repetitive things that I don’t want to do:
- Dishes
- Laundry
- Shaving
- Washing the car
- Making the bed
- Getting a haircut
- Meal prepping
- Vacuuming
- Watering the plants
- Sweeping
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way that you could do these things once and never have to do them again? Imagine if you washed the dishes once and then they never got dirty again, no matter how many meals you ate on them. Or if you shaved once and the hairs on your face or legs never grew back. Or you cut your hair once and it just stayed like that. We need to get our scientists on this right away.
Because of sin, the priests had to offer sacrifices every day. There was not a day that would pass that a sacrifice wasn’t offered. It had to be done. There was no choice. It was the only way to take care of the sin problem. One sacrifice wasn’t going to be enough.
At least until Jesus showed up. The author of Hebrews lets us know that Jesus offered himself as the ultimate sacrifice. That means that there is no need for any more sacrifices. Jesus’ life pays for the sins of all, past, present and future. Now all we need to do is accept Jesus as our savior and high priest and all our sin problems are taken care of. That is good news!
- What is a chore that you are tired of doing?
- What is a life issue that you are tired of dealing with?
- Imagine Jesus standing before God interceding for you. What do you want Jesus to say to God about you?
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