Hebrews 07:20-28 The Superiority of Christ’s Priesthood – audio

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Text: Hebrews 7:20-28

Introduction

1. In the first seven chapters of the epistle to the Hebrews, the main thought is the superiority of Christ

a. To the prophets – Hebrews 1:1-3

b. To angels – Hebrews 1:4-2:18

c. To Moses – Hebrews 3:1-5

d. To Aaron and his Levitical priesthood – Hebrews 5:1-10; 7:1-28

2. In showing the superiority of Jesus’ priesthood, the author has done so step-by-step

a. Jesus is qualified to be a priest by virtue of His calling by God and His suffering – Hebrews 5:1-8

b. He has been called to be a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek – Hebrews 5:9-10

c. The priestly order of Melchizedek is shown to be superior by comparing Abraham and Melchizedek – Hebrews 7:1-10

d. That Christ has become such a priest has several implications – Hebrews 7:11-19

1) The Levitical priesthood could not make one perfect before God

2) The Law upon which the Levitical priesthood was based has been annulled

3) Christ now provides a better hope, through which we draw near to God

3. This brings us to Hebrews 7:20-28, in which we come to the conclusion

a. Where Jesus is contrasted with those who served in the Levitical priesthood

b. Where the superiority of Christ’s priesthood is clearly demonstrated

Body

I. HIS DIVINE APPOINTMENT (Hebrews 7:20-22)

A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE APPOINTED BY A COMMAND

1. Beginning with Aaron, he and his descendants served in the Levitical priesthood

2. It was a divine command that so appointed them – Exodus 28:1-4

3. While divinely commanded, it was not with an oath

B. JESUS WAS MADE A PRIEST WITH AN OATH

1. In Psalm 110:4, God swore an oath concerning the coming Messiah and His priesthood

2. We saw earlier that a promise joined with an oath really confirms the immutability (unchangeableness) of God’s counsel – Hebrews 6:17

3. Appointed by an oath and not just a command, Jesus has become a surety of a better Covenant – Hebrews 7:22

a. surety means guarantor (NEB)

b. Appointed by such an oath from God, Jesus guarantees the new covenant, that it is better (there is that key word again!)

II. HIS ETERNAL INTERCESSION (Hebrews 7:23-25)

A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE LIMITED IN SERVICE BY DEATH

1. When one died, another took his place

2. Of necessity there had to be many priests

B. JESUS EVER LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US

1. That is because He continues forever

2. As seen earlier, Jesus came according to the power of an endless life – Hebrews 7:16

3. He therefore has an unchangeable priesthood

a. He is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him

1) He can do what the law could not do: make one perfect – Hebrews 7:19

2) That is, make one holy, and blameless – Colossians 1:21-22

b. And He ever lives to make intercession for them

1) I have always been impressed by this phrase

2) For it suggests what Jesus is doing for us now, and is most willing to do!

III. HIS PERFECT CHARACTER (Hebrews 7:26-27)

A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE SINNERS

1. Some more so than others

2. Even the best of them had to offer up sacrifices

a. On a daily basis

b. For his own sins before offering sacrifices others

B. JESUS IS SEPARATE FROM SINNERS

1. We see our High Priest described in regards to:

a. His holy character: holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners

b. His preeminent position: higher than the heavens

c. Thus He does not need to offer sins for Himself

2. This makes Him a High Priest fitting (becoming, seemly) for us

IV. HIS PERMANENT SACRIFICE (Hebrews 7:27)

A. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS SACRIFICED DAILY

1. Every day they offered sacrifices for their own sins and for those of the people

2. That they had to be continually offered implies a fundamental weakness in the efficacy of the sacrifices themselves

3. Later we learn that the problem was the inability of animal sacrifices to make one perfect and to cleanse the conscience of sins – Hebrews 10:1-4; cf. 9:9

B. JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF ONCE FOR ALL

1. This implies the efficacy of His sacrifice

2. The superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice will be explained further, later on – Hebrews Chapters 9 – 10

Conclusion

1. In Hebrews 7:28, we find a summary statement that contrasts the two priesthoods

a. The law, upon which the Levitical priesthood derives its authority, appoints men who have weaknesses; for example:

1) They are sinners themselves, and death terminates their service

2) Their sacrifices cannot truly remove sin, so had to be repeated daily and yearly

b. The oath, given after the law and the basis for Christ’s priesthood, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever; for example:

1) His humanity and the obedience learned through suffering makes Him most fitting to be our High Priest – Hebrews 2:17-18; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:8-9

2) His sinlessness makes the sacrifice of Himself the perfect and all-sufficient sacrifice, given once for all! – Hebrews 10:12-14

2. In chapters 9 and 10, the focus of this epistle will center on the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice; but for now, our attention has been on those things that illustrate our great High Priest:

a. His appointment by an oath from God, not just a command

b. His eternal intercession, not limited by death

c. His perfect character, untainted by sin

d. His permanent sacrifice, offered once for all when He offered Himself

3. Don’t you desire to have such a High Priest interceding in your behalf?

a. Then as Christians:

1) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

2) Let us never forget that He ever lives to make intercession for those who come to God through Him!

b. If you have never been immersed for the forgiveness of your sins:

1) Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized

2) Live a faithful life