The Epistle to the Hebrews

Lesson 10Better Things from the Better Priesthood

Hebrews 7:18-28

Better Things from a Better Priesthood

• A better hope (7:18-19)

• A surety of a better covenant (7:20-22)

• An unchangeable priesthood (7:23-24)

• Salvation to the uttermost (7:25-26)

• A sinless sacrifice sufficient for all men for all time (7:27-28)

The Better Priest Brings A Better Hope

• There is “an annulling of the former commandment” because it is weak (7:18; 8:13; 2 Cor. 3:7-11)– The word translated “annulling” means “cancelation”

(Strong’s Dictionary)

• The Law was weak because of its inferior sacrifices (Heb. 10:1-4, 10-12), but in the present context its weakness relates more to its weaker priesthood. – Priests were not made by an oath of God (7:21)– Priests were prevented by death from continuing (7:23)– Priests needed to offer daily sacrifices (7:27)– The Law made nothing perfect! (7:19)

• The bringing in of a “better hope” enables US to “draw near to God” (7:19)

Note the Contrastsin Hebrews 7:18-19

On the One Hand

“former commandment…

made nothing perfect”

“annulling”

“weak & unprofitable”

On the Other Hand

“better hope”

“bringing in”

“we draw near to God”

The Better Priest is the Guarantee of a Better Covenant

• He was made a priest by God’s oath (7:20-21)

– A law can be annulled, but an oath of God lasts forever (6:16-18)

– “He has sworn and will not relent, ‘You are a priest forever.’” (7:21)

• The permanence of Christ’s priesthood guarantees the better, more enduring nature of the covenant. (7:22)

The Better Priest Brings an Unchanging Priesthood

• The Law had “many priests” because each one was prevented by death from continuing (7:23)– Old Testament priests might begin their service between

the ages of 20 and 30, and their duties ceased when they turned 50, if they lived that long. (1 Chronicles 23:24, 27; 2 Chronicles 31:17; Numbers 8:23-26; 4:3, 23, 30, 35ff.)

• Because Christ “continues forever” He has an unchangeable priesthood. (7:24-25, 7:16)– He continues as a priest forever by virtue of His

everlasting life AND God’s everlasting oath

– Note: Contrary to the teaching of some religions, Christ’s Priesthood cannot be fulfilled by or transferred to another, and no non-Levite can be a Levitical priest (cf. 7:13-14)

The Better Priest is Able to “Save to the Uttermost”

• Christ is able to save to the uttermost both in terms of QUANTITY and QUALITY (7:25)– Salvation is for all men (Heb. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:6).

The gospel was to be carried to the “uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8, KJV)

– And every spiritual need is amply supplied (Ephesians 1:3; Philippians 4:19)

• Christ is so ABLE because He is perfectly qualified – Holy– Harmless– Undefiled– Separated from sinners– Made higher than the heavens – exalted (1:3; 8:1)

The Better Priest made the Best Sacrifice

• Old Testament priests needed to offer daily sacrifices for themselves and the people (7:26; Exodus 29:38-42; Numbers 28:3-8; Lev. 16:6, 11)

• Christ did not need to offer a sacrifice for Himself, and the sacrifice that He did offer was offered “once for all”! (7:27)– The effects of His sacrifice are permanent

(9:26)

The Better Priest is Perfect Hebrews 7:28

• One appointed by the law or…

One appointed by an eternal oath?

• One taken from men or…

One Who is God’s Son?

• One who has weakness or…

One who has been perfected forever?

Which Priest Would You Rather Have?