Slices
Prepare
In Hebrews 4:15 we read that Jesus was tempted in every way, but he did not sin. What do you understand by that?
Bible passage
Jesus like Melchizedek
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood – and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood – why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
‘You are a priest for ever,
in the order of Melchizedek.’
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 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 for ever.”’
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 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. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect for ever.
Explore
In the Passion Play at Oberammergau, Caiaphas, the high priest, along with other priests, treats the claims Jesus makes for himself with disgusted incomprehension. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea stand up for Jesus. This priestly class reflects the inherent weakness of the Levitical priesthood (vs 11,28): ‘men in all their weakness’.
Jesus as the great high priest surpassed the old priesthood. The writer describes their differences. Descendants from the tribe of Levi inherited the right to be a priest in Israel. Yet Jesus came from the tribe of Judah. Both Jesus and Melchizedek pre-existed Levi (7:10). Jesus’ qualifications for priesthood had nothing to do with inheritance enforced by the flawed law (vs 14,16). His perfect priesthood was a result of ‘the power of an indestructible life (vs 16,21). It never needed to be replaced. God had sworn an oath establishing and guaranteeing it. This was foretold in Psalm 110:4, which forms the basis of the writer’s argument.
A priest performing a sacrifice never sat down. No sacrifice was sufficient (10:11). Jesus’ death achieved what the old system could never do. Jesus could sit down (1:3). Everything has changed. Everything is gloriously new. We can now come into God’s presence (v 25).
Respond
Read verses 25 to 28 again and choose one aspect of what Jesus achieved and now does. Thank God for that
Deeper Bible study
‘Before the throne of God above / I have a strong and perfect plea; / a great High Priest whose name is Love, / who ever lives and pleads for me.’1
This section is in two parts. Verses 11–25 establish that Jesus is a superior priest to the Levite priests and verses 26–28 summarise all that has been said about Jesus the high priest until now and introduce chapters 8–10 dealing with his ongoing ministry. While Jesus is seated at God’s right hand, he also ministers in God’s presence on our behalf.
In verses 11–25, the Genesis Melchizedek story fades into the background and Psalm 110:4 returns. The writer concentrates on the term ‘for ever’ and God’s oath that guarantees it. Jesus is a priest for ever. Unlike those other priests who die and need to be replaced, his life is ‘indestructible’ (v 16). He lives for ever and has a permanent priesthood, something that God has guaranteed with an oath. God will never change his mind about Jesus. If the argument is complex, the conclusion is not: ‘Jesus … is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them’ (vs 24,25). Take hold of this today.
The summary in verses 26–28 lists some of his qualities: he is ‘holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens’. Verse 27 introduces a phrase that will become important in chapters 9–10: ‘once for all’. Here we learn that, unlike the Levite priests, Jesus does not need to offer daily animal sacrifices for his own sins and those of the people. He made his offering once for all when he offered not an animal but himself. His is a sacrifice that never needs to be repeated. For that reason, he truly meets our need. God will never change his mind about those who believe in Jesus.
Jesus’ sacrifice can never be repeated. Look again at Hebrews 6:6. Think about the importance of persevering and thank God for Jesus’ ministry, enabling you to persevere.
1 Charitie Lees Bancroft, 1841–1923
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Proverbs 1,2; Philippians 4
Pray for Scripture Union
North region Mission Enabler Neil Jackson has sought to free up time this summer to work with Faith Guides in various mission projects. Please pray for effectiveness for Neil and each Faith Guide he supports and that the children and young people will take steps forward in faith.
