HF188 - Hebrews 7 (#14 Our Heavenly Intercessor.)
To: Hebraic-Foundations@YahooGroups.com
From: "Pastor Buddy Martin" <Bro.Buddy@ChristianChallenge.org>
Date: Monday, May 19, 2008
Subject: Bible Study HF188 - Hebrews 7 (#14 Our Heavenly Intercessor.)
Hebraics,
In some studies I will simply highlight the main focus of the chapter without reviewing material that had largely been covered in a prior study.
This is Bible Study HF188 - Hebrews 7 (#14 Our Heavenly Intercessor.)
In this study want to look more closely about Jesus Christ being our 'forever' high priest. And since we have already previewed the person of Melchizedek, we'll not place a personal emphasize on him in this study.
The focus of our study in chapter seven of Hebrews is to compare the priesthood of Jesus with that of the Levites, that is, the new covenant priesthood as it compares to the priesthood under the law of Moses.
You may wish to read verses 1-16. But with the study we'll pick up with verse 17 of Hebrews 7:
v17 - "For it is attested of Him, 'You are a priest forever according to the order [or manner] of Melchizedek.'"
Once again attention is brought to David, the well beloved prophet-psalmist of Israel, and where David speaks by the Holy Spirit, concerning both God's Messiah and of Messiah's eternal priesthood after the 'forever' manner of Melchizedek.
I realize that we'd like to know more about how Melchizedek fits into the picture but the Scriptures leave much unsaid. In any event the Jewish people during the time of the apostles were well acquainted with the idea of the greater Son of David being a priest. It was part of their Targummim theology. This is why the apostolic writer could draw so freely on Jesus being our high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
vv18,19 - "For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God."
Here the issue is made more clear. In bringing in of a new covenant, nothing the former covenant could remain in place. The former covenant (law of Moses with its priestly order) would be weak and useless in the new covenant. It was suited for an earthly people. Its priests had to be replaced continually.
But the new covenant is an eternal covenant and requires an eternal high priest. Members of the new covenant are also eternal in that we have been given eternal life. Everything in the new covenant speaks of eternal things.
The former covenant was earthy and in this sense it had death written into it. The new covenant is heavenly and therefore has life written into it. Our high priest never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. And while our high priest lives forever, even so do all those who belong to Him.
Jesus spoke to Martha, saying, "And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
vv20,21 - "And inasmuch as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, 'The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,' "You are a priest forever."'"
Another comparison is made between the Aaronic priesthood and that of Jesus Christ. God gave no oath with regard to the Levitical priest such as the oath that was made concerning Messiah's priesthood. God swore --- "You are a priest forever!"
v22 - "...so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant."
And here the new covenant gets even more seraphic. Just as the people of Israel were to identify with the high priest when it entered the holiest of holies, even so all God's people identify fully and perfectly with our great high priest, the Lord Jesus.
In the former covenant the high priest carried the names of Israel over his heart. It is the same with us. Jesus actually carried all believers into the holiest of holies with Him. (Paul and John deal quite extensively on this issue.)
The point is that Jesus Himself is our guarantee of our heavenly reward. Our life is so intertwined with that of Jesus that we have become one and the same, so to speak. Paul said that God had taken our life and hide in in Christ Himself. John said that whatever Jesus was in heaven, that is what we are on earth.
This is a great area for discussion.
vv23-25 - "The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them."
Again we find ourselves moving forward with even more insight into the high priestly ministry of Jesus Christ. It says that Jesus saves forever those who have drawn to God through Him.
But it goes even beyond that. Jesus ALWAYS LIVES to make intercession for us. (Caps for emphasis only.)
The idea here is not merely on intercession. It is on intervention. There is a connection here with the blood atonement of Jesus. (We'll see this later.)
We catch a view of this 'intervention' in a conversation that Jesus has with Peter. Listen closely:
Jesus: "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." (Luke 22:31,32)
Do see it? Peter would be tempted and would fail in his own strength. Jesus would intervene. Out of Peter's denial of Jesus, would come his full restoration. And out of this restoration Peter would be able to strengthen other believers.
The issue is that Jesus will turn every struggle or failure in our lives, into a result of victory. Yes, we will fail, many times. And yes, we will conquer through Jesus, many times.
vv26-28 - "For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever."
A summation is made. Jesus fully and perfectly identified with fallen humanity, and continues to identify with our human frailties. He knows how to come to the aid of every believer in every circumstance.
Paul expresses this idea of the Lord's intercession and intervention very well. He said, "No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape, also so that you will be able to endure it."
There are some temptations that we must endure and the escape is often found in the endurance. Our place is to never become distrustful of the Lord.
As we progress further in our study of Hebrews, we will see just how awesome our eternal salvation is in Jesus Christ.
The study is open. Feel free to ask questions or make contributions.
Buddy
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Lawrence "Buddy" Martin
email: Bro.Buddy <at> ChristianChallenge.Org
Web: http://www.ChristianChallenge.org
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"See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled." (Heb12:15)