Jesus: A Better Hope - Hebrews 7:11-28

1. Jesus, “a better hope” Text: Hebrews 7:11-28 Key Verse: Hebrews 7:25

2. Review • Who is Melchizedek? • King and Priest, King of Righteousness • Melchizedek as a “Type” of Jesus Christ • Type: a foreshadow or resemblance of something or someone yet to come. • A better priesthood • Received tithes from Abraham • Melchizedek blessed Abraham • Melchizedek symbolized an Immortal Life

3. Faith – The Central Issue “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1 “... the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:23-24

4. Hebrews 7:11-28 [11] Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? [12] For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. [13] For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. [14] For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. [15] This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, [16] who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. [17] For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

5. Hebrews 7:11-28 [18] For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness [19] (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. [20] And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, [21] but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” [22] This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. [23] The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, [24] but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.

6. Hebrews 7:11-28 [25] Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. [26] For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. [27] He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. [28] For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever.

7. Road Map • Jesus is better than Judaism • Jesus is the Superior High Priest • Jesus is “a better hope”

8. Jesus is better than Judaism • Jesus is a new and better Priest • Ver 18-19 For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); • Ver 12 For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. • Jesus comes from the tribe of Judah not Levi. • Ver 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests

9. Jesus is The Superior High Priest • Jesus was appointed by God • The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4 • His sacrifice of himself was perfect and complete • Ver 27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself. • And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, Phil 2:8-9

10. Jesus is “a better hope.” • Because our High Priest, Jesus, is all of these things: • Ver 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him,... • This is the first of 2 key responsibilities of our High Priest • Key phrase: “save to the uttermost” • John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

11. Jesus is “a better hope.” • Ver 25 “since he always lives to make intercession for them.” • This is the 2nd responsibility of our High Priest • An intercessor is a mediator, one who pleads our case, not for our innocence, but rather for God’s best for us. • 1 Tim 2:5 “There is one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.

12. Jesus is “a better hope.” “It is a consoling thought that Christ is praying for us, even when we are negligent in our prayer life; that He is presenting to the Father those spiritual needs which were not present to our minds and which we often neglect to include in our prayers; and that He prays for our protection against the dangers of which we are not even conscious, and against the enemies which threaten us, though we do not notice it. He is praying that our faith may not cease, and that we may come out victoriously in the end.” (From: Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem quoting Louis Berkoff, page 628)

13. Who is your High Priest? Jesus the Great High Priest: • Lived the perfect life • The perfect sacrifice for sin. • Resurrected and ascended into heaven to sit at the Right Hand of God • He saves to the uttermost • Healways lives to make intercession for you