Storybook FaithSample

At this point in the book of Hebrews you might be thinking, “Ok! I get it, we are under a different covenant! Out with the old, in with the new!” It may seem as though things are being repeated unnecessarily. But, it’s important to understand that the author is taking his time to attack each argument against Jesus being the Messiah. By attacking each theological question the Hebrews had at the time, he is making sure that there would be no doubt that Jesus is who He says He is.

As we’ve discussed, under the old covenant, God’s people relied on high priests to intercede on their behalf, so that they could be cleansed of their sins. One of the main points of the book of Hebrews, however, is that under the new covenant, Jesus became the highest high priest, and the only one we need to go through to obtain a relationship with the Father. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 puts it perfectly.

Again, this seems easy enough to understand for us, but the Hebrews of biblical times needed credentials. They needed to know what qualified Jesus to replace the high priests that were so prominent and fundamental to their faith. In those days, not just anyone could be a priest. It was a family business, specific to the tribe of Levi. Only descendants of the tribe of Levi were priests; they made up the Levitical priesthood. Jesus, however, was not a Levite. Jesus descended from the tribe of Judah. 

This is important because the author of Hebrews explains why Jesus does not meet such a basic requirement of the position. The answer? Jesus’ lineage through Melchizedek proved to be more excellent! This difference demonstrated (once again) that He IS greater than all the other high priests. Instead of being a priest in the order of the Levites, Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek. 

As you will have read, Melchizedek was established as greater than Abraham (a Levitical priest). Although Melchizidek did not meet the human requirements of the priesthood, the reverence shown by the great Patriarch, Abraham acted as a fore-shadowing of Jesus’ story. Chapters 7 and 8 of Hebrews are essentially saying: Jesus doesn’t need to be a Levitical priest, because he comes from a lineage that has been made more excellent than Levi’s. 

Read Chapter 7, verse 15-18. Like it is stated in 1 Timothy chapter 2, there is only one who can reconcile us to God. Jesus is not only qualified, but the only one capable of connecting us once again with our father. Romans 5:10 teaches us that once we were enemies of God through our sin and disobedience, yet through Christ we are reconciled. I think we can all relate to feeling so far from God that we wonder if we could ever find our way back. Chapters 7 and 8 of Hebrews show us to start with Jesus. 

When we lay our sins at the feet of Jesus, He is with us at the throne of grace, having already forgiven them, helping us obtain grace and mercy. The wonderful thing about a high priest is that His purpose isn’t to condemn the people, but to mediate for them. More than a judge, a high priest is a lawyer. Someone who goes before God and speaks for you. That is what Jesus does for us. Thus, we have nothing to fear when we come to God through Jesus. Hebrews 7:8 best supports this.

Today, as you meditate on these scriptures, ask yourself:

Am I in need of Jesus to mediate for me and forgive my sin?

Are there sins that have caused me to doubt whether or not I could truly be forgiven?

How does Hebrews chapters 7-8 Help me understand that Jesus is able to save completely, no matter how big my sin may seem?