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“Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” ( Hebrews 10:11-14 )

Pointing out the  contrast between the continuous and repetitive acts of the priests compared with the one act of Jesus’ sacrifice is the main theme of Hebrews chapter 10. What the priests did over and over, Jesus did only once. And since that time He has been seated at the right hand of God the Father because the work He was sent to do is finished and complete.

We see the same thing with creation. On the seventh day God rested from all  His work ( Genesis 2:2 ). Not because he was tired, but because He was done ( Hebrews 4:10 ). He saw all He had made, declared it good, gave it the ability to reproduce and so He entered into rest. In fact Adam and Eve were created in that Sabbath Rest. There was no sin, it was a paradise and they fellowshipped with God in perfect unity, then came the fall of mankind.

After Jesus completed His restoration work on the cross, like God He sat down because everything was done. Redemption had been accomplished. Sins had been forgiven. The Sabbath Rest that God originally instated in the garden had been restored ( Hebrews 4:1-11 ). In other words, Jesus rested because there was nothing left to do. Now He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool.

The book of Hebrews opens with this very idea, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven” ( Hebrews 1:3 ). Evidence that this is currently the case is that the universe is held into place by His powerful Word. Jesus is the glue that is holding everything together and this testifies to the fact that Jesus is seated in heaven at the Fathers right hand.

This is good news for us because it means that His one sacrifice, in contrast to the law’s many sacrifices, worked. We, by this single offering are completely cleansed, perfected, consecrated and made holy once for all. Just like Jesus, we can enter into the rest that God desires for His people. This Sabbath Rest is in the person of Jesus Christ and comes through trusting in Him ( Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 4:3; 9-10 ).

By His one sacrifice we have been made holy and the law has been fulfilled in our lives. “For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” ( Romans 8:3-4 ). All of this is guaranteed by witness that Jesus is currently in heaven occupying the seated position of right hand to God the Father. Everything has been done and His work is completed. In the same way, our job is to believe in the One that God has sent ( John 6:29 ) when this happens our work is also finished and complete and we enter into the very rest that God promised His people right from the start.

“Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already men who offer the gifts prescribed by the law” ( Hebrews 8:3-4 )

Jesus’ priesthood is unlike any other. The writer of Hebrews goes to great lengths to disconnect Jesus’ priesthood from the Levitical line. The picture he paints of the Levitical priesthood is a system that continually operates over and over without having permanence or resolution (Hebrews 7). In fact he mentions this very idea five times throughout the entire book, each time building on the last, making it more apparent that this system could not accomplish what Jesus could ( Hebrews 5:1, Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 8:3, Hebrews 9:9, Hebrews 10:11 ).

The book of Leviticus describes the required gifts and sacrifices the priests were to make on behalf of the people. There were burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace, sin and guilt offerings, each sacrifice had specific guidelines and rituals required when making them. However, the result was the same; when the offering was made it was accepted by the Lord and became a pleasing aroma to Him. The priests were the only ones able to offer these gifts and sacrifices. It was their primary duty.

In the same way, Jesus, our High Priest, was also required to offer both gifts and sacrifices. The difference is that Jesus’ gifts and His sacrifice were far superior to the gifts offered according to the law. He did not bring animals to sacrifice as a covering for sin. He presented His body, which was prepared and given for this very purpose ( Hebrews 10:5-7 ). His sacrifice completely and utterly wiped away sin and its effects, so there was not even a record of them to accuse us ( II Corinthians 5:19, Hebrews 10:17-18, I John 2:2 ). The New Testament tells us that Jesus’ sacrifice was a fragrant and pleasing aroma to God ( Ephesians 5:2 ).

In fact, Jesus’ gifts and sacrifice did several things that the Levitical priesthood could never do and only hinted at. First, Jesus paid the debt left by sin, making our account balanced, absolving us from all guilt before God ( Romans 4:25, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:22 ). Secondly, He took our old sin nature gave us a new life fashioned after His own ( Romans 6:4, II Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 4:24, I Peter 3:18 ). Next, He died so we could live apart from the law while obtaining the righteousness described within the law ( II Corinthians 5:21 ). This removed death’s claim on us ( I Corinthians 15:55, Ephesians 4:7-8, I Peter 3:18 ). Lastly through Jesus, not the law, we will experience the incomparable riches of His grace for all eternity ( Ephesians 2:7 ). This is why Jesus’ priesthood is unparalleled to any other.

In contrast to the Levitical line, Jesus only offered these gifts and sacrifices once. He did not do it over and over, once was all it took. In the same way that the writer of Hebrews describes the continual offerings of the earthly priesthood to show that the old system was inadequate, he points out many times how Jesus’ sacrifice worked the one and only time it was given ( Hebrews 5:9, Hebrews 6:20, Hebrews 7:24-25, Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 8:12, Hebrews 8:15, Hebrews 8:26, Hebrews 8:28, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18, Hebrews 10:22-23 ). This alone, shows how superior Jesus’ priesthood is. We are eternally blessed by the fact that Jesus has been appointed as our High Priest before God, making intercession for us. Faith in the saving name of Jesus alone is all it takes to secure a hope and future with Him eternally.

“The point of what we are saying is this: We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man” (Hebrews 8:1-2)

One Christmas during my youth my family received a large jigsaw puzzle which we started putting together that very afternoon. By the time News Year’s Eve rolled around we decided we wouldn’t eat dinner until the puzzle (on which we had labored all week) had been finished. Each piece revealed the puzzle in more detail and soon we had a very large montage of thousands of gumballs. It seemed like a miracle when we finally finished it.

Just as a puzzle, made up of thousands of pieces, reveals the larger image, the Levitical priesthood and all elements of the Law were a glimpse of the true system in heaven in which Jesus owns the title and position of High Priest. The earthly system helps us visualize what is currently taking place in the heavenly realm. These pieces, when put together, reveal the entire picture. Now that we have a working knowledge from the previous chapters of how everything relates, it is time to bring it all together and look at the big picture.

First, Jesus is the High Priest that God provided for us under the New Covenant. This is an amazing truth. The old system was flawed because of mankind’s inability to keep the covenant, so God made a New Covenant and based it on His ability to fulfill it (Hebrews 8:6). Then He set up Jesus as the guarantor of these promises (Hebrews 7:22).

Secondly, Jesus serves in the true heavenly tabernacle. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that tabernacle worship as illustrated and outlined in the law was fashioned after the true temple worship currently taking place in heaven. How else do you think Moses obtained the pattern for what he was instructed to build? (Exodus 25:40, Hebrews 8:5). The heavenly tabernacle was created, not by mankind, but by God which is why the earthly tabernacle only served as a type and shadow of the true one (Hebrews 10:1). The heavenly tabernacle is where Jesus poured His blood on the Mercy Seat for us (Hebrews 9:11-12). It was a perfect offering, not given according to the Law but according to the eternal priesthood that God ordained through Jesus.

Next, Jesus sat down because His work was finished and complete. Just as in the example from creation (Genesis 2:2), the rest that Jesus entered into after atonement was because everything was done. Not one thing was left unfinished.

Lastly, Jesus sat down at the right hand of God the Father because this is the place of honor. The book of Hebrews opens with this very idea, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs“ (Hebrews 1:3-4). Jesus inherited the name above every name because God was so pleased with the redemptive work that Jesus completed. So Jesus has both the place of honor at the right hand of the Father and the name above every name (Psalm 110:1, Matthew 26:64, Acts 2:34, Philippians 2:9-10, Colossians 3:1, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:4, Hebrews 12:2).

These things summarize the main point the writer is making concerning everything he has said about Jesus’ High Priesthood in the last couple of chapters. First it was Jesus who carried out the plan of redemption and acted as our High Priest chosen by God. Secondly these things took place in the true heavenly tabernacle. Next, Jesus sat down because it was finished. And lastly Jesus has the place of honor and the name above every name because the job He was given to do was done so completely and perfectly. This shows how our covenant with the Lord is completely different and far superior to the Old Covenant and why Jesus’ priesthood is one of the best gifts we’ve ever received. Knowing these things equips us for a changed life overshadowed by the goodness of the Lord.

“Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself” ( Hebrews 7:26-27 )

When choosing Jesus as our High Priest, God chose the very best. He did not withhold anything from us but sent Jesus who could perfectly fulfill the requirements of both the sacrifice needed for the forgiveness of sins and for the role of High Priest, who made offering and intercession for us. This is an amazing truth, mankind chose individuals based on ancestry who were subject to sin and death, and God chose Jesus, who was sinless and perfect ( Hebrews 7:28 ).

One of the greatest goals of this letter to the Hebrews is to show the superiority of Christ’s eternal High Priesthood as being different and far superior to the Levitical office. In fact, the writer does everything to connect Jesus with the priesthood of Melchizedek. The reason is because the Levitical line was flawed by the sin and death of the priests. It was perpetuated by death, never having permanence or perfection ( Hebrews 7:16 ). This is why there was a need for another priest “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?” ( Hebrews 7:11 ).

Jesus on the other hand is perfect, sinless, pure, holy, blameless and set apart from sinners ( Hebrews 7:26 ). These qualifications alone show His superiority over the Levitical priests. Not only that but they are also the elements of a perfect sacrifice. Unlike the earthly priests, Jesus did not have to first sacrifice for his own sins before making intercession ( Hebrews 7:27 ). This is because He was perfect and sinless, which already qualified him to make intercession on our behalf. He was both the perfect sacrifice and the perfect intercessor.

This is why God chose Jesus to reconcile the world to Himself, because He was the only one qualified for the job. In fact, Jesus’ redemptive work was so perfect that it only required one sacrifice to forever wipe away and forgive the sins of the entire world ( Hebrews 7:27, Hebrews 8:12, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews  9:15, Hebrews  9:26, Hebrews  9:28, Hebrews  10:10, Hebrews  10:12, Hebrews  10:17, Hebrews  10:18, I John 2:2 ). The truth is that God loved us so very much that He sent Jesus to do what mankind could not in restoring the relationship between God and man ( Isaiah 59:15-18, John 3:16, Romans 5:1-2, I Timothy 2:5, I John 2:1 ). Through Jesus we are brought into a right standing with God, restored, forgiven and accepted solely on His account. This is why Jesus’ priesthood is far superior to the Levitical priesthood in every way imaginable. This high priest is perfectly adapted to meet our needs which is why God chose the very best right from the start!

“Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” ( Hebrews 7:23-25 )

One of the most amazing truths in the entire Bible is that Jesus is able to save completely, perfectly and to the uttermost because of His resurrection from the dead. In fact our entire belief system hinges on this truth. Without the resurrection we would die in our sin, shame and guilt. Paul said in Romans 4, “He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” ( Romans 4:25 ), meaning that His resurrection is the positive proof that we have been restored to a state as if we had never sinned in the first place. The payment for sin was satisfied once for all when Jesus was delivered over to death to make atonement. Since it was satisfied and all debts forgiven, death no longer had claim on Jesus and had to release him from the grave.

This has incredible implications for us, because through Jesus, the grave has no claim on us either. Jesus has been appointed by God as our High Priest on oath that He would remain as such eternally. Before this time, death had been a problem in the Levitical priesthood because it continually interrupted this office. The position of High Priest was a lifetime position ( Numbers 35:25 ). So it was like starting over every time a new High Priest was appointed following the death of the previous High Priest. However, since death has no claim on Jesus ( Romans 6:9 ), His priesthood cannot be interrupted, therefore He is able to complete the work assigned to Him as High Priest.

The High Priest’s job was to make atonement for the people once a year. He was mankind’s representative before God in all things. The problem was that he first had to sacrifice for his own sins, disqualifying him from approaching God to make atonement in the first place. Jesus on the other hand was sinless so His sacrifice for sin, when offering himself as payment, was more than enough to permanently wipe out the debt that sin created. In fact the writer of Hebrews has stated over and over that our sins are paid for, forgiven and forgotten ( Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 9:26, Hebrews 9:28, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18, Hebrews 10:22 ). Which means that Jesus’ atonement as High Priest worked the first and only time it was given. And if it worked, then by no means does it need to be made again ( Hebrews 10:10-14 ). In fact, Jesus now sits at the right hand of God the Father because His work is finished and complete ( Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12 ).

Since this work is finished and death has no claim on Jesus, he resides as High Priest forever. And if He lives forever with this office, He is also able to save for all time and eternity those who come to Him by faith. In fact, God promised Jesus on oath that this would always be the case which is why he promised Him that He would provide a High Priest, not after the Levitical line perpetuated by death, but after Melchizedek who had no record of death ( Hebrews 7:3 ).

This is incredible news and very important to know because it assures our hearts before God. In fact these things have been written to give us insight and confidence in approaching God by faith ( John 20:31, I John 5:13 ). Knowing that we have been saved, forgiven and restored to a state where we are justified and righteous before God should give us boldness in approaching Him without the consciousness of sin and resulting guilt ( Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:22 ). Then knowing that Jesus lives forever to assure this relationship, making petitions and intercession on our behalf, should usher us into a state of heart peace and empower us to live a life like no other. These truths have been written for our benefit; so that we may understand all that we have access to through Christ Jesus.

“And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant” ( Hebrews 7:20-22 )

Several times throughout the gospels the voice of God was heard over Jesus. The first instance is when he was baptized by John. A voice came from heaven and said, “This is my Son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased” ( Matthew 3:17 ). Another notable event was on the mount of transfiguration. While Jesus was speaking with Moses and Elijah a bright cloud enveloped them and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” ( Matthews 17:5 ). Lastly right before Jesus death, while He was praying in the garden He said, “Father, glorify your name!” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” ( John 12:28 ). Everyone there had different reaction to the voice of God, some said it had thundered and others said an angel had spoken to him. However look at Jesus’ response “This voice was for your benefit, not mine” ( John 12:30 ).

Every time God spoke audibly to Jesus it was for our benefit. Jesus understood God’s nature completely because they are one and the same so the words were not said for Jesus’ sake ( John 1:1, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 1:19, Hebrews 1:1-2 ) However, He said these things about Jesus so we could have insight into this relationship between the two. Through it we see that God loved Jesus, God was pleased with Jesus and God’s name was glorified through Jesus. These are important truths to know.

In the same way, the oath made between God and Jesus that He would eternally be our High Priest was made solely for our benefit so we could understand that the covenant made on our behalf was lasting and eternal. In fact God wanted to make His intent very clear so He made us this promise and then confirmed it with an oath and hinged everything on his character, “Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. ( Hebrews 6:17-18 ). Knowing this should give us boldness and courage to approach God on the basis of being reconciled through Jesus.

Because of this oath, through Christ we have full access to God. We have boldness to enter into the very presence of the Father to find grace and help in every circumstance of life ( Hebrews 4:16 ). This is why the Law was weak and useless ( Hebrews 7:18 ). It could not bring us into perfect fellowship with God the Father ( Hebrews 7:11 ), however Jesus did. And because God promised Him on oath that He was a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, He has become the guarantee of a better, stronger and more advantageous covenant ( Hebrews 7:22 ). God wants us to know this; which is why He made this oath to Jesus. This is something we should constantly remind ourselves so that we can live in a state of peace, being assured that we are acceptable to God solely on the basis of what Jesus did for us. This is an amazing truth, which is why John said, “This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” ( I John 3:19-20 ).

The oath made to Jesus was made solely for our benefit so that we would know and rest in the covenant that Jesus secures for us. Through Christ we have peace with God ( Romans 5:1 ) and confidence to approach Him through faith ( Hebrews 4:16 ). This is why the covenant of grace we have is far superior to the old covenant in every way imaginable and this new covenant is guaranteed eternally by the oath made on our behalf.

“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” ( Hebrews 7:18-19 )

The solution to the chasm that sin created is not the Law. As this passage clearly declares using it in this way is weak, useless and ineffective. Paul called the Law the ministry of death ( II Corinthians 3:7 ). So relying on it to bring us into fellowship with God, bridging the gap caused by sin, only brings us death and condemnation.

On the other hand, if it is used in accordance to its true purpose then we will be justified by it. “the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law” ( Galatians 3:24-25 ). The Law was set aside when Jesus ushered in the New Covenant because it was useless in bringing a person into perfect fellowship with God ( Hebrews 7:11 ). The Law defined our sin in relation to God’s holiness. So in essence it accused us before God, bringing further separation instead of reconciliation. Which is why Paul told Timothy, the Law was not made for the righteous man, but for sinners ( I Timothy 1:8-9 ). It showed us the need for a savior. So trusting in Christ to save us is the better hope that this passage is describing by which we draw near to God for reconciliation.

Paul made this very observation about the purpose of the Law in Romans 7, “What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.” But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. ( Romans 7:7-13 ).

The main point that the writer is making is that to draw near to God we must set aside the Law, because the Law strengthens sin in our lives increasing its hold on us instead of bringing us the reconciliation we need.  Instead we should cling to the better hope by which we have full access to God.

This blessed hope is in the person of Jesus Christ who has paved the way for us to enter blamelessly into the God’s very presence ( Hebrews 4:16, Hebrews 10:19-22 ).  His blood has completely wiped away the effects of sin in our lives once for all ( Hebrews  9:12, Hebrews  9:14, Hebrews  9:26, Hebrews  9:28, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18, Hebrews 10:22 ). This is why we have this access. Jesus imputed His righteousness to us when we believed; the righteousness required to fulfill the entire law. Adherence to the law couldn’t make us righteous because of our sin nature ( Galatians 3:21 ). However Jesus fulfilled it because He was sinless. Then He gave us His Spirit to replace that sin nature when we were born again, which is how He imputed His righteousness to us. This is why He is the better hope by which we can come before God.

When we understand this, it gives us boldness and confidence before God instead of uncertainly and fear. Under the Law, the High Priest was allowed to enter into the Holy of Holies and into the presence of God once a year when he made atonement for the people. However, when Jesus was crucified on the cross the curtain that had separated the people from God’s presence was torn entirely in two from top to bottom ( Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:24 ). This was done by God himself showing us that Jesus paved the way for us to come with full assurance of faith and clean consciences ( Hebrews 10:22 ). His body is now the curtain by which we can freely enter at will ( Hebrews 10:20 ).

This is why the law is set aside when we are saved, because its purpose has been fulfilled in bringing us to Christ to be justified by faith. Now that Jesus is our High Priest, He assures this access eternally. “For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever” ( Hebrews 7:28 ). Jesus is the better hope which gives us confidence before God.

“For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law”
( Hebrews 7:12 )

About a year ago, I sat through a series at church about the Ten Commandments. Each week the pastor would give his message on the next commandment instructing the congregation how to follow it and live it out in their lives. I spent the entire time wondering why a teaching series like this existed. I came to the conclusion that the Church as a whole is missing vital information concerning everything that took place at Calvary. This passage declares that when there is change in priesthood by necessity there also must be a change in law. And if there has been a change in the law, why are we still acting as if there hasn’t been?

Christians still want to live under the Old Testament Covenant which is why we have this hybrid of grace and works that permeates the Church. We teach salvation by grace but holiness by Law as in the example of the teaching series on the Ten Commandments. However Paul said in Colossians, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him” ( Colossians 2:6 ). How did you receive Christ? The only acceptable answer is by faith. So it makes sense that we continue in Him in the very same way. In fact, Paul said in Galatians, “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” ( Galatians 3:10 ). His point is that Jesus became the curse so we could be redeemed from the law’s curse to live by faith ( Galatians 3:13-14 ).

This is why we must pay attention to Jesus and everything that took place at His death and resurrection.  “Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess” (Hebrews 3:1). Why? Because the covenant of grace that He ushered in is far superior in every way than the old system of the law. “But the ministry Jesus has received is superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises” ( Hebrews 8:6 ). If we, as New Testament believers, have better promises, then it only makes sense that we know what they are and operate out of them instead of the old system that is aging and ready to disappear ( Hebrews 8:13 ).

This comes as a shock to many people but the old system did not work. Look at this passage from scripture. It actually says this very thing – the old system was broken “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. But God found fault with the people and said: “The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord” ( Hebrews 8:7-9 ). The time for change came with Jesus.

The old system of Laws only dealt with the external ( Hebrews 9:10 ) which is why it could never work. Take an apple tree, for example; when the fruit is ready to be picked you might find evidence that it had a worm. However if it is early enough in the season when you pick the apple, there is a chance that the worm is still inside. This is because the apple actual grows around the worm and the worm ruins the apple from the inside out. The law was geared toward the flesh, but since the core was bad, it showed us that we were already defeated and in need of a savior. This is why God had to deal with the heart of man, not merely external behavior which manifests because of what is inside. This is why there was a need for a new Covenant and new system.

“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear” ( Hebrews 8:10-13 ).

Jesus dealt with the core of mankind which is why we must be born again, so that our nature is no longer according to the flesh which is corrupt. Instead it is according to spirit fashioned after Jesus’ in true righteousness and holiness ( Ephesians 4:22-24 ). He put the law of God on the inside of us, writing them on our hearts and minds so that we can know all his ways, it becomes part of us; cleansing us from the inside out, not just a system of rules to live by. This is the change in law. It is not of the letter which condemns, it is of the spirit which gives life. “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life” ( II Corinthians 3:6 ).

As believers, our covenant is glorious, which is why it seems inconceivable that anyone would choose to return to the old system of being under the law. “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone [The Ten Commandments], came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? ( II Corinthians 3:7-8 ). The point here is that Jesus ushered in a new system with His priesthood, then gave us the Holy Spirit, which allows us to live in a completely different way. Not by a list of “dos and don’ts” but by His Spirit. “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” ( Romans 8:6 ). Unlike the commandments which arouse the desire to sin ( Romans 7:11 ), living by the Spirit of God actually produces the righteous requirements the law describes ( Romans 8:4 ), which is why the new system under Jesus’ priesthood actually works!

“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” ( II Corinthians 3:12-18 )

So instead of spending ten weeks doing a study on the Ten Commandments, which actually puts a veil over our hearts and dulls our minds to the things of God, we should spend time focused on Christ and the change that came with His priesthood. We do not need to be told what the law of God is, through Christ these things have been written on our hearts and exist in our minds and will be evident in our lives by walking and living by the Spirit of God ( Jeremiah 31:31-33, Hebrews 8:10-13, Hebrews 10:15-16 ). We should always look at the law through the filter of Christ which will always confirm what is spoken to us through the Holy Spirit. This is why by necessity there had to be a change in law when there was a change in priesthood. Through Christ a better hope is introduced by which we can draw near to God ( Hebrews 7:18 ).

“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?” ( Hebrews 7:11 )

When Adam and Eve were created, they were created into a perfect fellowship with God. They always enjoyed the Sabbath rest, in which they were created, right from the beginning. They were blameless before God and enjoyed an intimate fellowship with him.

This is still the goal. This passage says if perfection, or perfect fellowship between God and mankind could have been attained by the Levitical priesthood, then there would not have been a need for another priest. However, it could never be achieved in this way so there was a call for another priest, not from the line of Aaron, who mediated on behalf of the law, but from the order of Melchizedek who retained his position on the basis of an indestructible life ( Hebrews 7:15 ).

This is a profound statement. This shows us that a right relationship with God can never come through the law. In fact, the very next verse says, “For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law” ( Hebrews 7:12 ). This means the old law, the old system of doing things, no longer applies. Instead, we have a new High Priest and a new law. In fact, it is so radically different that we cannot even use the Levitical priesthood as a basis for understanding it, which is why there is nothing in Jesus’ ancestry to connect Him to it.

“The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” ( Hebrews 7:18-19 ). This hope is Jesus. The law merely served as an illustration, a type and shadow of Christ ( Hebrews 10:1 ). But now that He has come, there is no longer the need for this illustration ( Hebrews 8:13, Hebrews 9:9-10 ).

“First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” ( Hebrews 10:8-10 ).

Jesus’ sacrifice atoned for the sins of the world which restored the perfect fellowship between God and mankind. ( Hebrews 8:12, Hebrews 8:26, Hebrews 10:10, Hebrews 10:12, Hebrews 10:14, Hebrews 10:18, I John 2:2 ). Jesus accomplished what the law could never do. Through faith we enter into the Sabbath rest in which Adam and Eve were created and God promised to the Israelites ( Hebrews 4:1-3 ). This is why there was need for another priest to come in the order and with the rank of Melchizedek; because He was able to restore this relationship. Jesus’ death and resurrection brought about the forgiveness of sins making us holy by faith ( I Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:4, Ephesians 4:24, Hebrews 2:11 ). If we are holy, then perfection, or the perfect fellowship between God and the worshipper has been restored. If it is restored, then we can approach God confidently through faith. “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” ( Hebrews 4:16 ).

The law could never do this because it reminded us of our sin making us unsure and guilty before God ( Romans 3:20, Hebrews 10:1-4 ). However, Jesus restored our confidence by completely wiping away our guilt and shame. This is why Jesus is after the order of Melchizedek and not the order of Aaron.

“Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever” ( Hebrews 7:3 )

I was talking with a friend who has always struggled over the significance of Melchizedek. He wasn’t sure why he was mentioned in the Scriptures and didn’t understand why it was important to us today. He wrote off this quest for understanding after his Sunday School teacher told him it wasn’t that important, after all Melchizedek is only mentioned three times in Scripture. I on the other hand believe that understanding who Melchizedek was and why Scripture mentions him so many times is very important, especially since Jesus became a High Priest after and with the rank of his order ( Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 5:6; Hebrews 7:17 ).

This passage in Hebrews 7 is quite an amazing statement because it says Melchizedek had no beginning or ending. There are no records of his father, mother or ancestral line. In the same way there are no records of his death. This is odd because genealogy is very important to Jewish heritage. If you’ve ever read through Scripture chances are you eventually read through some long lists of genealogy. Even Jesus’ genealogy was covered from every angle. Matthew showed it through Joseph’s line. Luke told of Mary’s ancestry and John showed his connection to God as his one and only son. But Melchizedek has no records.

The writer of Hebrews makes this connection that without records, Melchizedek had no beginning or ending of life. In other words he has always and will always exist. Because of this, he remains a priest forever as the position of High Priest was a lifetime position ( Numbers 35:25 ).

This is extremely significant to us because Jesus has been appointed our High Priest before God after the order of Melchizedek, not the order of Aaron. The Levitical priesthood was subject to and interrupted by death. But Jesus’ priesthood was after the pattern of one who did not die,  which means that His priesthood is forever and as such He will always be able to intercede on our behalf ( Hebrews 7:25 ). Death has no power to remove this office from Jesus.

Because Jesus is of Melchizedek’s order, we can ascertain certain expectations about Christ and His priesthood. First, as mentioned it is an eternal position ( Numbers 35:25, Hebrews 7:25 ). Secondly, it is based not in ancestry, but according to the power of an indestructible life ( Hebrews 7:15-16 ). Next, the change in priesthood also changes the law and its requirements ( Hebrews 7:12, Galatians 3:13, Colossians 2:13-14 ). Lastly, just as Melchizedek met Abraham and blessed him, through Christ we have been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing ( Ephesians 1:3 ).

Adding up all these things helps us to understand why Melchizedek is mentioned in Scripture and why it is important.  He is the pattern that shows us the incredible office that Christ Jesus holds. Understanding Jesus’ role as our High Priest brings us to a place where we can boldly approach God through faith. When we do, we know that we will find grace and mercy to help us in our times of need ( Hebrews 4:16 ).