Series: Jesus Is The Better High Priest
Speaker: Paul Mermilliod
Hebrews 7:11-19
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.
BIG TRUTH:
PERFECTION CANNOT BE ATTAINED THROUGH THE LAW
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?
Hebrews 7:11
For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect)…
Hebrews 7:18-19a
Big Idea:
The Law Is Good (Rom 7:12)
- The law was given by God. (Exod 20:1-20)
- The law reveals God’s character. (Lev 11:44-45)
- The law is a pursuit of God’s presence. (Lev 26:11-13)
- The law demonstrates how to live set apart. (Exod 19:4-6; Lev 18-27)
- The law exposes the reality and nature of our sin. (Rom 7:7-12)
So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Romans 7:12
Big Idea:
The Law Is Insufficient (Heb 7:18-19a)
- The law is “weak” and “useless”
- The law “makes nothing perfect”
Big Idea:
We Need A New High Priest Who Can Establish A New Law (Heb 7:11-12)
Big Idea:
Jesus Is The Better High Priest (Heb 7:15-20)
Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Hebrews 5:8-9
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1-2