Hebrews 7:11-19: Jesus' Priesthood is Needed
Hebrews - Jesus is Greater • Sermon • Submitted
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· 14 viewsThe Levitical priesthood and the Law could not attain perfection. It is only through the priesthood of Jesus that perfection can be attained where individuals are ushered into the presence of God.
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Introduction
Introduction
Scripture
Scripture
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Outline
Outline
Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels
Hebrews 1-2 - Jesus is Greater Than the Angels
Hebrews 1:1-4 - God has Spoken
Hebrews 1:5-14 - The Son is Superior to the Angels
Hebrews 2:1-4 - A Warning
Hebrews 2:5-9 - Lowliness to Crowning Glory
Hebrews 2:10-18 - Jesus has Delivered His Brothers
Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest
Hebrews 3:1-4:13 - Jesus is a Greater Rest
Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus is Worthy of More Glory Than Moses
Hebrews 3:7-19 - Disobedience After the Exodus
Hebrews 4:1-13 - A Sabbath Rest for God’s People
Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek
Hebrews 4:14-7:26 - Jesus is Greater than Melchizedek
Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus is the Great High Priest
Hebrews 5:1-10 - Jesus is the High Priest After the Order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 5:11-6:20 - Warning and Exhortation
Hebrews 5:11-14 - Failure to Mature
Hebrews 6:1-8 - Pursue Maturity
Hebrews 6:9-12 - Loving Motivation
Hebrews 6:13-20 - The Promise of God’s Word and God’s Oath
Hebrews 7:1-10 - The Greatness of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:11-19 - Jesus’ Priesthood is Needed
Hebrews 7:11-14 - The Priesthood and Law has Changed
Hebrews 7:15-19 - A Better Hope
Purpose of Book
Purpose of Book
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
Christ, who has accomplished salvation through His atoning sacrifice, is greater than all things; therefore, persevere in true faith and encourage others to do likewise
Main Point
Main Point
The Levitical priesthood and the Law could not attain perfection. It is only through the priesthood of Jesus that perfection can be attained where individuals are ushered into the presence of God.
The Levitical priesthood and the Law could not attain perfection. It is only through the priesthood of Jesus that perfection can be attained where individuals are ushered into the presence of God.
Hebrews 7:11-14 - The Priesthood and Law has Changed
Hebrews 7:11-14 - The Priesthood and Law has Changed
11 Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 13 For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
***Inclusio is formed in this chapter by “Son” in vss. 3 & 28***
***Inclusio is formed in this chapter by “Son” in vss. 3 & 28***
***Chapter is broken into three sections - 1-10, 11-19, & 20-28***
***Chapter is broken into three sections - 1-10, 11-19, & 20-28***
***Smaller inclusio is formed in vss. 1-10 by “met”***
***Smaller inclusio is formed in vss. 1-10 by “met”***
***Smaller inclusio is formed in vss. 11-19 by “perfect” & “law”***
***Smaller inclusio is formed in vss. 11-19 by “perfect” & “law”***
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood
Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood
Remember a similar argument
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.
Pointing to another argument
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.
The writings and the covenant in the OT were not complete - fully inspired and promising the Gospel
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Perfection
Making something complete or without defect
Allows for individuals to have full access and unbroken fellowship with God resulting in individuals enjoying their relationship with Him in eternity (Eschatological hope)
Had been attainable
Exist, being
Perfection was not attainable through the Levitical priesthood
Levitical priesthood
Israelite priesthood office — the office that the priest holds and serves that includes performing religious duties and ceremonies to the God of Israel on behalf of others.
(for under it people received the law),
(for under it people received the law),
Notice how the priesthood and the Law bound together
What further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
What further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron?
Further need
Greater need
Another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek
Since the Levitical priesthood was not working to purify from sin, attaining perfection, a new priesthood was necessary - one that was already promised in the OT - Psalm 110:4
After the order of Aaron
For when there is a change in priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
For when there is a change in priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well.
When there is a change in priesthood
Replace or exchange
Necessarily a change in the law as well
The change in priesthood and law center on the work of Jesus
Furthermore, Jesus as an non-Levitical priest signifies that a change has occurred and the old covenant is not longer in effect due to the priesthood law being bound together
This change was promised throughout the OT
31 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar.
The one of whom these things are spoken
Jesus
Belonged to another tribe
No one has ever served at the altar
Served - Devote one’s life to religion
Only the Levitical priests served at the altar, not one from another tribe
For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.
New sentence in the Greek started by the conjunction gar - For
Evident
Very clearly revealed or known
Descended from Judah
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
15 As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
18 So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evil things that Herod had done, 20 added this to them all, that he locked up John in prison.
21 Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
23 Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years of age, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Judah was associated with kingship
10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet,
until tribute comes to him;
and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.
5 And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”
As a descended from Judah, Jesus was disqualified from Levitical priesthood - Psalm 110:4
Moses said nothing about priests
7 And this he said of Judah:
“Hear, O Lord, the voice of Judah,
and bring him in to his people.
With your hands contend for him,
and be a help against his adversaries.”
8 And of Levi he said,
“Give to Levi your Thummim,
and your Urim to your godly one,
whom you tested at Massah,
with whom you quarreled at the waters of Meribah;
9 who said of his father and mother,
‘I regard them not’;
he disowned his brothers
and ignored his children.
For they observed your word
and kept your covenant.
10 They shall teach Jacob your rules
and Israel your law;
they shall put incense before you
and whole burnt offerings on your altar.
11 Bless, O Lord, his substance,
and accept the work of his hands;
crush the loins of his adversaries,
of those who hate him, that they rise not again.”
Hebrews 7:15-19 - A Better Hope
Hebrews 7:15-19 - A Better Hope
15 This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is witnessed of him,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
18 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek,
Evident
Clearly revealed by the mind or senses
Another
Does not simply mean to replace a similar kind, but another as a different kind altogether
Arises
Word is also used in the NT when describing Jesus’ resurrection - thus Jesus’ priesthood was established upon his resurrection
Likeness
Quality of being similar
Who has become a priest, not on the basis of legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Who has become a priest, not on the basis of legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.
Legal
2. Mosaic law system — the Torah understood as the system of laws, civil statutes, and priestly ordinances comprising the Mosaic covenant; especially understood as the means of earning God’s favor.
Requirement
ⓑ of commands given by divine authorities
Power
1. power — possession of controlling influence; often understood as manifesting influence over reality in a supernatural manner
Indestructible
Endless, impossible to be destroyed
Comparisons of the priesthoods
Levi
Law
Commandment
Bodily
Jesus
Power
Life
Indestructible
For it is witnessed of him,
For it is witnessed of him,
Solemnly testified
“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
4 The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest forever
after the order of Melchizedek.”
Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament Hebrews 7:17, 21
First, that Jesus was appointed to high priesthood suggests that the regulations for worship, found in the law and centered on the old-covenant priests, have been exchanged for something better (7:11–19).
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness
New sentence in the Greek started by the conjunction gar - For
Former commandment
Authoritative direction
Specifically referring to the Levitical genealogy of the priestly office
Set aside
Come to pass
Officially annulled
Weakness and uselessness
Lacking power/ineffectiveness
Lack of advantage or benefit
The law was obviously not useless
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.
21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law.
Though the sacrifices in the OT could purify from ceremonial defilement they could not purify sin
(for the law made nothing perfect);
(for the law made nothing perfect);
Law
Nothing perfect
Complete or without blemish
1 For since the law has but a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities, it can never, by the same sacrifices that are continually offered every year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, since the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have any consciousness of sins? 3 But in these sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. 4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.
Better hope
Superior to something else
This better hope is the high priestly work of Christ Jesus
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Introduced
The messianic work of Christ on the cross brings perfection
Though in context the levitical priestly office is set aside, the ramifications are far reaching - THE ENTIRE COVENANTAL MOSIAC SYSTEM IS SET ASIDE!!
Draw near to God
45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” 48 And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. 54 When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!”
Only through the person and work of Jesus are individuals brought near to God enjoying secure fellowship with Him now and forever
Application
Application
Due to the priesthood of Christ, we have immediate, unhindered, and direct access to God
Due to the priesthood of Christ, we have immediate, unhindered, and direct access to God
Under the Law
In the Tabernacle
34 Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 And Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys.
New Testament
In the believer(s)
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Main Point
Main Point
The Levitical priesthood and the Law could not attain perfection. It is only through the priesthood of Jesus that perfection can be attained where individuals are ushered into the presence of God.
The Levitical priesthood and the Law could not attain perfection. It is only through the priesthood of Jesus that perfection can be attained where individuals are ushered into the presence of God.