Hebrews

Thursday, 6 December 2018

…who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. Hebrews 7:27

This verse is a climax of the subject matter so far discussed over the past many verses concerning the superiority of Christ’s priesthood over that of Aaron. The author has been clearly contrasting this superiority over that of the high priests of old. He has highlighted many differences such as in their duties, genealogies, and length of service, but this verse takes us directly back to the requirements of the Levitical law. For example, in Leviticus 16:11, this was stated concerning the high priest –

“And Aaron shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull as the sin offering which is for himself.”

Even the high priest himself had to offer sacrifices for sin. The Day of Atonement sacrifice was once a year, however, he also had other required sacrifices for his own sin, if and when any arose. This is in complete contrast to Christ Jesus. As was seen in the previous verse, He is “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,” and thus requiring no sacrifice for His own sin. As the author says of Him, “who does not need daily” to offer up sacrifices. Unlike Christ who needed no sacrifice, the high priest of Israel needed sacrifices for sin which he committed.

The term, “daily,” does not mean that he literally offered a daily sacrifice for his sin. Rather, what is described in this verse is one which covers the conduct of his daily life. The Day of Atonement occurred once a year on the tenth day of the seventh month. It was a mandatory sacrifice which covered the entire year. On this day, “those high priests,” meaning those of the line of Aaron, were “to offer up sacrifices.” This was a ritual that only the high priest could conduct. When he did, he had to offer up “first for [h]is own sins.”

Note: The verse now being reviewed is looking at this from Christ Jesus’ perspective, and so the word “His” is capitalized in this translation. However, this is given to show the contrast to that of Aaron. Christ did not have to offer up “for His own sins,” but the high priest under the Law of Moses did.

After offering for his sins, the high priest could only then offer “for the people’s” sins. This shows an inherent defect in the law. If the high priest had his own sin which required atonement, and that year by year, it shows that he was imperfect and he remained imperfect. Further, it shows that he could also not bring those, on whose behalf he ministered, to a state of perfection either. This is in complete contrast to Jesus who offered Himself, not a goat, and “this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.”

Here the superiority of Christ’s priesthood is put on prominent display. A goat is in a different category than a man. Hebrews 10:4 will show that what the high priest of Israel did each year was actually ineffectual. As it says there, “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” And so we have 1) the high priest requiring atonement for sin; 2) the high priest required atonement for sin “daily” (meaning year by year); and 3) the offering for his sin could not actually take away the sin. In contrast, we have Jesus who 1) required no atonement for sin because He is sinless; 2) His sinless state is eternal and so He will never require atonement for His sin, making Him an acceptable offering for others who do bear sin; and 3) the offering of Himself is fully sufficient to take away sin – once and for all – for those who trust in Him.

Life application: The people of Israel were granted a temporary covering (atonement) for their sins each year on the Day of Atonement. In reading the Old Testament, we find the most egregious sins possible being recorded by the people. And yet, if they came to God in faith on this most sacred day, God would atone for those sins. And these things only looked forward to the more perfect and complete atonement offered through Christ Jesus. Be comforted that nothing you’ve ever done is too vile that it can’t be purified. When you look to the cross and accept what Jesus did on your behalf, you can never again be condemned for your wayward life. God has provided the ultimate atonement for you in the Person and work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Can we get an, “Amen!”

Glorious and most merciful God. You gave Israel temporary atonement, year by year, through the sacrifice of animals. But then You sent Jesus as a full, final, and forever sacrifice of Himself. In Him, we have the perfect sacrifice, and thus the perfect forgiveness for our wrongdoings. Thank You, O God, for Your unfailing love. It is evident in what You have done for us. Thank You for Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, 5 December 2018

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; Hebrews 7:26

The author just stated that Christ “is also able to save to the uttermost.” He then explained that with the words, “since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Now, he reveals the qualities that Christ possesses which make His saving of us to the uttermost possible. Understanding this, he begins with, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us.”

The implication is that anything less than what he will describe would render Christ unqualified to mediate for us. But because He possesses these qualities, He is wholly suited to the role of such a Mediator. The first quality is that He is “holy.”

The word used is not the same word used in verse 3:1 when speaking of the holy brethren to whom the epistle is written. Rather, it is a rare adjective which signifies something sanctioned by a higher (divine) law, and thus that which deserves godly respect. He is unaffected by the sin which weighs down Adam’s fallen race. There is no imperfection in our great High Priest and so His cross is completely able to remove our sin-debt once and for all.

The next word used is translated as “harmless.” It is a word used only here and in Romans 16:18. It signifies someone who is innocent even down to their very intentions. There is no desire at all to hurt or cause harm or grief in such a person. In Christ, there is no malice of thought. He doesn’t look at those who come to Him based on their past misdeeds, but on their acceptance of His accomplished work. Stated another way, His judgment concerning our salvation is not based on any negative thing we have done, but is based solely on the positive work that He has accomplished.

After this, He is described as “undefiled.” The word signifies “unstained,” and thus free from contamination. He is completely undefiled in thought, word, and deed. Because He is, His cleansing touch is able to purify us as well. When we call on Him in faith, He gives us His righteousness leading to holiness. At some glorious point in the future, we shall stand in the presence of God unaffected any longer by sin and its consequences.

He is also “separate from sinners.” It is debated if these words are connected to the previous word (undefiled), or to the following words (and has become higher than the heavens). Christ did, in fact, live among sinners as the gospels record, but He never participated in their sin. He remained wholly undefiled in His being. At the same time, He is now completely separated from us in this life. We are still in the fallen world, but He has gone into the heavens (which the Most Holy Place of the sanctuary represented) to minister for us. Because of this, it is probable that this is not specifically connected to either thought, but is a stand-alone thought which transitions between the two. He was separate, and He remains so now in another type of separation. Jesus is completely set apart from all defilement. This includes separation from those who have failed to call on Him. We cannot expect an eternal salvation for believers if we don’t expect eternal separation from unbelievers. God has given us the choice to choose life; to choose Jesus. If we neglect so great a salvation, only eternal condemnation can result.

The verse then ends with, “and has become higher than the heavens.” The thought is similar to that of Ephesians 4:10 –

“He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.”

The idea here is that His exaltation is higher than anything we can visibly see, and above any heaven we could ascend to. Thus, He sits at the right hand of God. In this, He can intercede directly to God on our behalf. The majesty of the heavens is nothing in comparison to the greatness of Jesus. We think of heaven as the ultimate prize, but the heavens were created along with the earth. The creation cannot equal the splendid majesty of the Creator, and heaven cannot match the glory of the Lord

In each of these, one can see the type which was given in the high priest of Israel as he mediated on the Day of Atonement. Christ is the Anti-type which corresponds to him, but in an infinitely more perfect way. What Israel’s high priest did under a law which could not save, Christ does through a covenant which can save to the uttermost.

Life application: If this verse doesn’t make you want to jump up and shout, you may need to get off the Xanax. When we come to Jesus we come to the very throne and glory of God. Think on who Jesus really is, and think on what He has really done. And then, go forth in praise of the splendor of His majesty!

Heavenly Father, help us never to set our eyes on any lesser prize than the ultimate glory – that of our precious, exalted, and magnificent Lord Jesus! Your word, again and again, admonishes us to fix our eyes, our thoughts, our hopes, and our hearts on Him. Give us the burning desire to do so. It is in His splendiferously wonderful name we pray! Amen.

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25

“Therefore” is based upon the argument presented in the previous verses. The author has shown numerous points which support what he will next say –

1) Jesus is a “priest forever” (7:17);

2) He has “the power of an endless life” (7:16) rather than having His priesthood based on ancestry;
3) He is a priest “according to the order of Melchizedek” (7:17) who was shown to be greater than Father Abraham (7:7);
4) Jesus’ priesthood annuls the laws of the former priesthood (7:18);
5) Jesus’ priesthood brings in “a better hope, through which we draw near to God” (7:19);
6) Jesus’ priesthood came with an oath (7:20);
7) Jesus himself has “become a surety of a better covenant” (7:22).

For these reasons, we can know for certain that “He is also able to save to the uttermost.” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes concerning this word, it is “not perpetually, but perfectly.” There is an absolute guarantee of salvation which comes through His infinitely superior priesthood. The power of the priesthood is absolute, and it is perfect in what it is set forth to accomplish. However, the context must be understood. This saving is only for “those who come to God through Him.”

Jesus’ ministry as High Priest is the effective means of salvation. No one can expect a right relationship with God while attempting to circumvent Jesus. In a pluralistic society, this is rejected, but the Bible makes it perfectly clear that there is one way and one way alone that the human soul can find restoration and a fulfilled relationship with God, and that is only through Jesus. This is confirmed in His own words –

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6

Sin exists in all men, and that sin must be dealt with before man can be reconciled to God. However, it is only through the intercessory role of Jesus Christ as High Priest that this can come about. In coming through Jesus, however, there is salvation to the uttermost because – as the author says – “He always lives to make intercession for them.” This takes the reader back to Chapter 5. Christ was chosen as a priest forever, and according to the order of Melchizedek. With that having been stated, the author then went on to explain what that meant for Him –

“…who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.”

In the ordeal Christ faced, He became the representative for all who would believe in Him. His prevailing through the sufferings He faced is what guarantees those who follow Him the same eternal life He possesses. Thus He is the “author of eternal salvation.” The tie which binds His priestly office and the salvation it provides is the intercessory role He fills on our behalf. The obedience He learned is what now carries through to our salvation in Him.

Life application: Only a true knucklehead would study theology, read Jesus’ claims of exclusivity, and then think that God has made an exception in their case. Either Jesus’ words are true or they aren’t. If they are, then Jesus is the only path to God and all other paths lead to condemnation and hell. If they aren’t true, then God has left man without the ability to truly know their eternal destiny. This would show a flaw in the nature of God – something which is impossible. Stand fast in your faith of Jesus and His great ministry and be assured that your faith in Him will be richly rewarded.

Thank You, O God, for the knowledge of salvation which is given to us through the Person and work of Your glorious Son – our Lord Jesus. Thank You also that we have a sure word that is reliable and effective in leading us to Him. We stand undeserving and yet confident! Amen.

Monday, 3 December 2018

But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Hebrews 7:24

The words in the Greek place the emphasis on “unchangeable,” not on “priesthood.” In other words, it reads more correctly, “…has his priesthood unchangeable.” The priesthood of Aaron changed with the passing of each high priest; the priesthood of Jesus remains forever.

The previous verse explained the mortality of the priests in Israel and how one generation would follow another in performing their duties. Upon their deaths, they would return to the dust while another priest would continue on in place of the dead. In contrast to this, the author now begins this verse with “But.”

Because Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man, He was born without sin. He was also born under the law, which He then lived out perfectly. In this, He met the strict requirements of the law. After this, He then gave His own life to pay the sin debt of all who come to God through Him. This is a precept known as substitution which is found within the law itself. An innocent animal was killed in place of one who sinned, receiving what the sinner deserved. Each animal under the law, in type, looked forward to Christ. Thus, He not only fulfilled the law through obedience, but He also fulfilled the law in typology.

Just as each mediator of the Old Covenant was temporary, so then were his sacrifices. Further, as those sacrifices were in a different category, an animal instead of a man, they could not actually do what they were given to do (see Hebrews 10:4). Instead, they only looked forward to the One who would fulfill their typology. In contrast to these temporary priests with their ineffectual sacrifices, Jesus’ priesthood is ongoing and it is fully effectual to save. This is “because He continues forever.”

Because Jesus is eternal, and the offering of Himself was perfect, so then is His sacrifice; He “has his priesthood unchangeable.” This same type of thought has been presented several times in Chapter 7, but the author continues to restate the truth to ensure 1) we grasp and do not forget what He is saying, and 2) there is no way to wiggle out of the truth presented in order to justify a return to the Law of Moses. Where the priesthood of the Law of Moses was changeable, the priesthood of Jesus is not. The superiority of Jesus’ priesthood over that of Aaron is, once again, demonstrated.

Life application: Because we are dull in our thinking, we easily forget the truths presented in Scripture. We sin, often in a grievous manner, and we wonder how our sin could ever be forgiven. But the author explains it completely, and he will continue to do so in the verses ahead, using the same logic he has thus far. If you have called on Jesus as Lord, don’t despair over your sins. Rather, regret them and acknowledge how they must grieve the Lord, but don’t despair as if they are unpardonable. To have this attitude is to diminish the great and glorious power of His atonement. The same Lord who spoke the universe into existence is the Lord who can handle your waywardness. If Satan is pestering you about a sin you have committed, remember Paul’s comforting words –

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies.” Romans 8:31-33

O God! Help me always to remember that neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation will be able to separate me from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus my Lord. Thank You that because of Him I am eternally secure. Hallelujah and Amen!

Sunday, 2 December 2018

Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. Hebrews 7:23

The author now provides another case for the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood over that of the Levitical priesthood. He first says, “Also there were many priests.” The Greek more literally reads, “Also, there have been made priests many.” There was a long succession of priests, each being consecrated to the priesthood in order to meet the needs of the requirements specified by the law. There was any given number of priests at any given time, and there was also a high priest among them. In this, they continued on for a duration and then they were replaced. The basic fact that there were many priests throughout the years shows the weakness of the Levitical priesthood, but the reason that there were many is “because they were prevented by death from continuing.” This shows an even greater weakness in the law and its priesthood.

Death prevented them from continuing on in the priesthood. However, Christ is “a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” This is because of “the power of an endless life” (verse 7:16). The supremacy of Christ’s priesthood is clearly established in this.

The first high priest of Israel was Aaron who descended from Levi through his grandfather Kohath and then through his father Amram. From Aaron came others sons and through his sons the line continued for about 1500 years. There were strict regulations for these men including who they could and couldn’t marry. In addition to this, there were other requirements. Some of these requirements were so precise that if they deviated from them, they would die for not properly performing them –

“Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. ² So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” Leviticus 10:1, 2

These were two of the four recorded sons of Aaron at the establishment of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Nadab was the eldest but never attained to the office of high priest because of his unauthorized action. Instead, his younger brother Eleazer became the high priest at the time of Aaron’s death. Other high priests came and went, some being considered failures in their appointed office. But even the successful ones couldn’t continue forever. Being sons of Adam, they inherited his sin and also added their own sins in life. Such sin, then as now, results in death. Here in this verse, as in other verses, the author is demonstrating the insufficiency of the Levitical priesthood. No high priest of Israel attained the perfection necessary to carry on the office, but rather died and left his duties unfinished.

1) The wages of sin is death, 2) these priests died and their time in the priesthood ended, therefore, 3) their time in the priesthood failed to resolve the sin problem in their lives. If this is so, then those on whose behalf they ministered also failed to have the sin problem resolved in their lives as well. In this, the entire system is shown to be a failure. However, Christ, being a “priest forever,” is shown to have no sin. As this is so, then His ministry is able to resolve the sin problem for those He ministers to. The system is shown to be a success.

Life application: Time and again it is shown that the Law of Moses failed to accomplish what it was intended to do, which is to restore man to God. This doesn’t mean that the law itself was defective, but that sin in man rendered it ineffective. Christ, who was born without sin and who lived without sin, fulfilled the law for us. Why would we ever want to go back and live out the precepts of a law which could never save anyone? The author is not wasting words through useless repetition, but he is rather showing – again and again – the supremacy of what Christ has done for us. It is the strongest appeal possible to his readers – “Come to Christ and be saved from what the law could never save you from.”

Lord God, no matter how many times we hear the good news, it is always fresh and new to our souls. The law stood against us and condemned us. Jesus took that burden from us and delivered us from the penalty of sin. In Him, we have the surety of eternal life, because He is the fount of that same eternal life. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.