CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRIST'S PRIESTHOOD
CHARACTERISTICS OF CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD Hebrews 7:11-28;Hebrews 8:1-13
Christ’s priesthood is clearly superior to the Aaronic priesthood, as the author now demonstrates. The word “better”appears four times in this section, indicating the superior blessings associated with Christ’s priesthood in contrast to the Levitical priesthood. The priesthood of Christ is characterized by a better hope, {Hebrews 7:19} a better testament, {Hebrews 7:22} a better covenant {Hebrews 8:6} and better promises. {Hebrews 8:6} His ministry is simply better than the ministry of those who represented the people to God under the Law, a “more excellent ministry.” {Hebrews 8:6} In what ways is it better and superior? Our priest is superior to their priest, first, in terms of the fact that he was ordained by God. {Hebrews 7:16-17;Hebrews 7:20-21}
Secondly, he is superior in terms of the fact that his priesthood will never cease. Unlike the Levitical priests, he will never die {Hebrews 7:23-24} a. He will “continue ever”cf. {Hebrews 7:3;Hebrews 7:16-17;Hebrews 7:28}
Third, he is superior because he will never change. {Hebrews 7:24} For that reason, nothing can thwart his power to deliver those who come to the God by him. {Hebrews 7:25} His power has no limit: He can save to the uttermost!
Fourth, he is superior to the Levitical priests in his person. Unlike the sons of Aaron, the Lord Jesus Christ had no sin {Hebrews 7:26} or infirmity. {Hebrews 7:28}
Fifthly, he is superior in his function. It is the priest’s function to make offerings. {Hebrews 8:3} Our priest’s sin offering, however, is superior to the Levitical priests because it was a “once for all”sacrifice. {Hebrews 7:27} It will never need repetition for Jesus was not only the priest that made the offering, he was also the offering. {Hebrews 7:27} Furthermore, his priesthood and the efficacy of his offering will never end. He has an ongoing ministry {Hebrews 8:2-3;Hebrews 8:6} as our “mediator”{Hebrews 8:6} and “intercessor”who ever lives to make intercession for us. {Hebrews 7:25}
All in all, the sum of these truths is simply this: Believers have a high priest who is eminently qualified to minister to God the Father on their behalf. The Old Testament priesthood pointed forward to this One who now intercedes for us before the Father. Christ’s priesthood is the substance of that which Aaron’s was only the shadow. {Hebrews 8:2;Hebrews 8:5} The priests under the Law were exemplars and figures; Jesus Christ is the reality.
Because we have a new priest, we also have a new and better covenant of worship and service. No longer do sinners have to approach God through the Levitical priesthood; now, we can draw near to Him through the merits of our great high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“Return my soul unto thy rest, The merits of thy Great High Priest Have bought thy liberty;
Trust in his efficacious blood, Nor fear thy banishment from God, Since Jesus died for Thee.”