Hebrews 7 (4)

Introduction
What qualifies Jesus to be the means of eternal life? His own eternal life of righteousness, which He freely gives to all who look to Him as High Priest and hope. The religious life of Judaism, outlined in great detail in the Old Testament, was nevermeant to be the way to eternal life with God. It was always temporary, provisional, and typical (in the sense of being a type). Old Testament religion always pointed forward to a coming priest in the order of Melchizedek, and Jesus is that priest. The Old Testament faithful – like Simeon – understood this. But now that Jesus has come, He is a better hope, because He lives forever.

Read Luke 2.25-35.

Read Hebrews 7.14-19.

Think it through.
1.  The coming of Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, to fulfill the role of High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, effectively did away with the role of the Levitical priests. Why? What qualified Jesus, rather than those priests, to be the source of “a better hope”? What were the implications of this for the first readers of the book of Hebrews? What are the implications for any who are trying to attain their vision of the good life by any means other than Jesus?

2.  The hope which Old Testament priests could offer was that of temporary atonement and provisional restoration to the favor of God. How did they accomplish this? Why was this only a fleeting hope? How did the work of these priests teach the faithful of Israel – like Simeon – to look forward to a better hope? The Law made no one perfect; Jesus makes all who rest in Him perfect by grace through faith. In what sense are we who believe perfect in Jesus? What makes this a better hope? Why is this an eternal rather than a fleeting hope? In what sense do “we draw near to God” through Jesus? How and when should we expect to know this?

Meditate.
“Was the law then of no use? It was indeed of use and of great use, but to make humans perfect it was of no use. For in this respect he says, ‘the law made nothing perfect.’ All were figures, all shadows: circumcision, sacrifice, sabbath. Therefore they could not reach through the soul, and thus they pass away and gradually withdraw. But ‘a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.’” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11.28-30

Thank You, Father, that in Jesus Christ I am perfect, and I have perfect hope in Him! Help me today to increase in…

Pray Psalm 110.1-7.
How does this psalm portray the hope and rest we have in Jesus? Meditate on that hope and rest, and give God thanks for our eternal High Priest.

Psalm 110.1-7 (Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” 
The Lord says to my Lord, 
“Until I make Your foot stand 
On all who hate Your Word.” 
From in His Church the Savior 
Rules all His enemies; 
While those who know His favor 
Go forth the Lord to please. 

Filled with the Spirit’s power, 
In holy robes of love,
From early morning’s hour 
They serve their Lord above. 
Christ reigns a priest forever, 
The King of Righteousness 
And King of Peace who ever 
His chosen ones will bless. 

The Lord at Your right hand, Lord, 
In wrath shall shatter kings, 
When judgment by His strong Word 
He to the nations brings. 
Then, all His foes defeated, 
He takes His hard-won rest, 
In glorious triumph seated 
With us, redeemed and blest!

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.