14 King of Righteousness – Part 2

In the first half of chapter 7, the author went to great lengths to show how Melchizedek was a “special” high priest, and that he was even greater than the patriarch of the faith, Abraham.

In the second half of the chapter, he then presents the case, that Melchizedek was simply a forerunner to Jesus the Great and perfect High Priest.

He begins the second half of the chapter, by showing that the both the Law, and the Levitical priesthood were imperfect:

1 Imperfect Law and Priesthood

The Law (and therefore the priesthood) was held in the highest honor by the observant Jews of that day, as for most, sadly their focus was on the Law, and not the Lord Himself.

Therefore, the author began by showing the imperfections of both the Law and the priesthood, which would have certainly initially shaken his audience:

Hebrews 7:11-14

In essence, the author was asking his readers to logically look at the evidence, instead of to simply view everything as centering around the Law.

• He shows that because the Levitical priesthood was inadequate, it needed to be replaced by something (Someone) greater.

All these Jewish believers had to do, was to remember the number of corrupt priests in the nation’s history, as well as the fact that it was the priests, who insisted that Rome crucify Jesus.

Because of His great love for His people, God had a better plan than either the imperfect Law or priesthood.

The priests were to have been intermediaries between God and man, but they had failed terribly because of their own sinfulness.

This pointed to the “incompleteness” of the Old Covenant system. In essence, it only “set the stage” for that which would be complete. The Old Covenant system of laws and regulations could never provide all that would be necessary for man to enjoy a full relationship with God.

The writer to the Hebrews, was writing much like the apostle Paul, when he wrote that we aren’t to be bound by the law:

Romans 6:14

In verses 13 and 14 of Hebrews 7, the author then shows how the fact that Jesus our High Priest, did not come from the tribe of Levi, He had made the Levitical priesthood obsolete.

He connected this with how Melchizedek the “forerunner” of Christ, also was not from the tribe of Levi.

2 Further Proof

The author continued showing the connection between Jesus and Melchizedek:

Hebrews 7:15-19

The author then used what would have been a familiar passage for his audience, to show that Jesus was indeed from a different order of priesthood than the ordinary Levitical priests:

Psalm 110:4

The passage presents two major aspects of Jesus’ priesthood:

• It wasn’t based upon the Law
• His priesthood didn’t come from being a fleshly descendent as were the Levitical priests.

While fleshly priests served until their death, Jesus remains High Priest forever.

As alluded to previously, it was the earthly priests who had demanded that Jesus be put to death:

Matthew 27:1-2

In verses 18 and 19, the author showed how it was the weakness of the law, which caused it to be unprofitable:

Hebrews 7:18-19

It was because the Law didn’t make anyone, or anything perfect, it was therefore weak and unprofitable.

Even with its imperfections, the Law pointed to the need to draw near to God.

All of this points to how fruitless, and “unprofitable” it is for aa believer to attempt to live by the law.

3 Greatness of the New Priest

Hebrews 7:20-28

The author begins his conclusion by once again showing that Jesus’ High Priesthood came about from an oath made by the Father:

Psalm 110:4

In verse 22, the author refers to Jesus as the “surety of a better covenant”.

The word is from the ancient Greek word <eqquos> which referred to someone who gave security or cosigned a loan.

The author of Hebrews shows that Jesus, Himself is the guarantee of a covenant far better than the Old Covenant.

Paul spoke about this as well when he mentioned the account of the Last Supper:

1 Corinthians 11:25

In verses 23 and 24, the author once again, addressed the subject of how the priests’ service was limited by their life spans. However, that did not pertain to Jesus’ High Priesthood since both He and His office of High Priest remains eternal.

Verse 25 tells us, that since the Lord’s priesthood is eternal, “He is able to save to the uttermost”. This is another way of saying He continually saves or saves forever.

In the original Greek, phrase we have translated as “to save” means to save completely, and from all.

But the key is seen in that this is only available, as we go to God through Christ:

Hebrews 7:25

Jesus made it abundantly clear that He was the only way to the Father:

John 14:6

Which is why the author to the Hebrews speaks of how Jesus is not the only way to the Father, but that His current role is that of the believer’s eternal intercessor.

In verses 26-28, he once again speaks of Jesus as being greater than all other high priests.

While other high priests, had to first offer sacrifices for themselves (due to their own sinfulness), Jesus’ offered one sacrifice, which was not for Himself, but for the sins of the world.

The author then again refers to the imperfection of the Law, in that it appointed sinful men to the priesthood, whereas the Father appointed His perfect Son to be our eternal priest.