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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
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Hebrews 01:04-14 Jesus’ Superiority to Angels
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Text: Hebrews 1:4-14
Introduction
1. The subject of angels has certainly become a popular one lately
a. Bookstores are filled with books dealing with angels
b. Popular TV shows and movies depict angels working in our lives (Highway To Heaven, Touched By An Angel, The Preacher’s Wife, It’s A Wonderful Life)
2. Angels were also an important part of the Jewish religion
a. Angels assisted with the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai – Deuteronomy 33:2; Psalm 68:17; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19
b. They appear throughout the history of Israel, coming to Abraham, Daniel, and many others
3. Since the purpose of The Epistle To The Hebrews is to show the superiority of Christ and the New Covenant to the Law of Moses…
a. It is necessary that the writer has something to say about angels
b. So it is that we find the comparison of the Son to prophets followed now by a comparison to angels – Hebrews 1:4-14
4. The premise is clearly stated that the Son (Jesus) is much better than the angels – Hebrews 1:4
a. The reason in a nutshell is that He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they
b. That name is Son, a title that only Jesus can properly wear
1) Angels may be called sons of God collectively – Job 1:6
2) But no angel can be called this name individually!
Body
I. JESUS IS THE SON
A. TWO PROPHECIES REFER TO THE MESSIAH AS SON
1. The first is Psalm 2:7
a. A psalm depicting the enthronement of the Messiah (the Lord’s Anointed)
b. In which Jehovah calls the Messiah My Son
c. The begetting has reference to the resurrection of Jesus – Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4
2. The second is 2 Samuel 7:14
a. This passage had immediate application to Solomon, David’s son
b. But as the Messiah he would receive the throne of David
1) It’s ultimate application would be to the Messiah
2) Jesus, the son of David – Matthew 1:1; Mark 10:47; John 7:42
B. BUT NO ANGEL IS EVER CALLED MY SON
1. Collectively they were called sons of God, but never individually!
2. This not only demonstrates Jesus’ superiority to angels
a. It proves that Jesus Himself was NOT an angel!
b. Contrary to what some (such as JW’s) believe
II. JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN WHO RECEIVES WORSHIP
A. JESUS IS DESCRIBED AS THE FIRSTBORN
1. The term firstborn does not always mean born first
a. It is also used in the Scriptures as a metaphor to describe one who occupies the rank and privilege of being firstborn (without literally being firstborn)
b. Used by God in this way to refer to the nation of Israel – Exodus 4:22
c. Used by God in this way to refer to David, youngest of eight – Psalm 89:20-27
2. It is used of Jesus in this way to stress His preeminence over creation
a. As Paul explains in Colossians 1:15-18
b. By virtue of being the Creator, He maintains the rank and privilege of firstborn!
B. WHEN THE FIRSTBORN CAME INTO THE WORLD, THE ANGELS WERE TO WORSHIP HIM
1. The angels of God were to worship Him. Note well: No created being is or was ever worthy of worship!
a. The angels themselves refused to be worshipped – Revelation 22:8-9
b. The apostle Peter refused to accept worship – Acts 10:25-26
2. Yet Jesus received worship!
a. From the wise men – Matthew 2:11
b. From the leper – Matthew 8:2
c. From the ruler – Matthew 9:18
d. From His disciples in the boat – Matthew 14:33
e. From the Canaanite woman – Matthew 15:25
f. From the man born blind – John 9:38
g. From the women and other disciples following His resurrection – Matthew 28:9,17
h. From the disciples following His ascension – Luke 24:52
III. JESUS IS GOD ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED
A. ANGELS ARE SIMPLY FOR THE SERVICE OF GOD
1. They are created spirits to serve God (called ministering spirits in He 1:14)
2. Their service can be as powerful yet transient as wind or flames of fire, if need be
B. BUT THE SON IS GOD HIMSELF, ENTHRONED AND ANOINTED!
1. The author is quoting from another Messianic psalm – Psalm 45:6-7
2. Notice that the Son is called God! – Hebrews 1:8
a. The Hebrew writer clearly proclaims the deity of Jesus! – Hebrews 1:3a
b. Yet in the next verse we read where it says God, Your God has
1) Here we find a distinction of personalities within the Godhead
2) Which we learn through later revelation involves the Father and the Son (and the Holy Spirit)
3. The Son, Who is God, has been enthroned, and reigns over an everlasting kingdom with righteousness
a. A kingdom of which Daniel said shall never be destroyed – Daniel 2:44
b. A kingdom of which Gabriel (an angel) told Mary: there will be no end – Luke 1:33
c. Both Paul and John wrote of this kingdom – Colossians 1:13; Revelation 1:9
4. This Son, Who is God and King, has been anointed – Hebrews 1:9
a. Of course, the word Messiah means anointed one
b. In this passage, the emphasis is on how Jesus has been anointed with gladness more than Your companions
1) Who are these companions?
2) In view of He 2:11; 3:1, it is likely the followers of Jesus, His brethren!
5. As God, King, and Messiah, Jesus is certainly greater than angels!
IV. JESUS IS THE LORD WHO IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR
A. JESUS IS YAHWEH (JEHOVAH)!
1. Now the Hebrew writer is quoting from Psalm 102:25-27
a. A psalm which addresses God using His covenant name Yahweh (or Jehovah)
b. This is the name that God used to identify Himself to Moses – Exodus 3:13-14
2. But the Hebrew writer by inspiration knew this psalm equally applied to Jesus!
a. Such would be blasphemy, unless Jesus is truly Deity!
b. So while the Son is distinct from the Father (Hebrews 1:9), He and the Father are also one
3. In this chapter, then, we find evidence relating to the nature of the Godhead
a. There is one God, but three distinct personalities within the Godhead
b. As Jehovah, Jesus is not a god, or any sort of created being (contra JWs, Mormons)
c. As the Son who is distinct from the Father, the Son is not the same in personality as the Father (contra the Oneness Pentecostals)
d. Though not a biblical term, the word trinity does help to convey the Biblical evidence as to the nature of the Godhead!
B. JESUS IS THE ETERNAL CREATOR!
1. In the beginning it was He who created the earth and the heavens – Hebrews 1:10
a. As the author had already stated in Hebrews 1:2c
b. As both John and Paul professed – John 1:3; Colossians 1:16-17
2. He is also eternal, therefore unchangeable – Hebrews 1:11-12
a. The heavens and the earth will perish, grow old and be changed – 2 Peter 3:10-12
b. But Jesus will remain, be the same, and not fail – Hebrews 13:8
V. JESUS IS THE SOVEREIGN
A. NO ANGEL HAS BEEN INVITED TO SIT AT GOD’S RIGHT HAND
1. The psalm quoted now is Psalm 110:1
a. This psalm is quoted or alluded to more than any other psalm in the NT
b. It refers to the Messianic reign of Christ that began when Jesus sat down at the right hand of God – Hebrews 1:3; Acts 2:34-36; 1 Peter 3:22
2. That no angel has been asked to sit at God’s right hand
a. Once again proves that Jesus was not an angel (contra JWs)
b. Only Jesus, as the Son of God, has been so invited, and is truly the Sovereign!
B. ANGELS ARE BUT MINISTERING SPIRITS
1. While Jesus sits enthroned in heaven, angels are sent forth to minister (serve)
2. They minister for those who will inherit salvation
a. They have certainly ministered in the past – Luke 1:11-38
b. They will certainly minister at the time of Christ’s return – Matthew 13:36-43
c. But to what extent they minister in the present, the Scriptures reveal little (Matthew 18:10), and we should be careful to refrain from vain speculation
Conclusion
1. In a very forceful manner, the writer to the Hebrews has shown Jesus’ superiority to angels:
a. Jesus is the Son (not angels)
b. Jesus is the Firstborn who receives worship (not angels)
c. Jesus is God enthroned and anointed (not angels)
d. Jesus is the LORD (Yahweh) who is the eternal creator (not angels, who are only created beings)
e. Jesus is the Sovereign, reigning at God’s right hand (angels are but ministering spirits)
2. While angels certainly have a special place in God’s plan for redeeming man
a. They are not to become the object of worship or adoration – Colossians 2:18-19
b. Only Jesus is worthy of such worship and adoration! As innumerable angels proclaimed with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! – Revelation 5:11-12
3. Let Jesus, and not angels, be the focus of your interest and adoration!
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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