October 13, 2024
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Hebrews 7:18-28
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exposition
We live in world filled with guarantees, lifetime warrantees, insurances, promises and so on. Our culture knows full well that we the consumer are looking for things that last, things that have been guaranteed to succeed for us. We have lots of guarantees in this life, but lots of broken ones too. Many of us are painfully living through many unfulfilled guarantees and desperate for someone to follow through.
Wouldn’t you be pleased to discover that in your area of greatest need, you have a guarantee that is totally certain? Our salvation, our spiritual access to the living God, our communion with Him is made certain, guaranteed by our savior Jesus Christ.
In Hebrews 7:18-28, the author explained to the Jewish background believers that Jesus is a greater guarantee of salvation. We can understand that Jesus is a greater guarantee of salvation.
October 6, 2024
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Hebrews 7:1-17
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exposition
Why does this passage about a mysterious figure named, Melchizedek, and an ancient priesthood matter to us today? While we may not be struggling to reconcile temple worship with our faith in Christ, we face a similar challenge: Where do we turn to find true connection with God? In our world, people are looking everywhere for meaning, security, and spiritual fulfillment. Some turn to religious traditions, others to personal spirituality, and still others to worldly solutions like success, status, or wealth. Even as Christians, we may sometimes feel distant from God and question how we can approach Him and hear from Him.
This is why we need to hear about the greatness of Christ’s priesthood. It reminds us that our relationship with God doesn’t depend on our efforts, rituals, or qualifications. We have direct access to God through Jesus, our perfect High Priest. His priesthood is superior to anything the world or religion can offer. In Him, we find security, peace, and reconciliation with God.
November 6, 2023
“Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins” (Hebrews 7:27 NLT). Hebrews contrasts the daily
November 5, 2023
‘Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”’ (Hebrews 7:16-17 NLT). Quoting Psalm 110:4, “You are
November 6, 2022
A BETTER HOPE The law can reflect, but not perfect. The law itself is perfect. For it is from God, but it has no power to make perfect. It is like a mirror that reveals our sinful imperfection, but it has no power to remove it. Instead of bringing us closer to God, the law
November 6, 2021
THE SUPREME SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST’S SACRIFICE Hebrews contrasts the daily offerings of Levitical priests with the “once for all” offering of Christ Jesus. The reason for daily sacrifices by the sons of Aaron are several. First, they themselves are sinful and must offer daily sacrifices “first for their own sins.” Second, “since they are prevented
November 5, 2021
JESUS, OUR ETERNAL HIGH PRIEST Quoting Psalm 110:4 (“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek”), the book of Hebrews declares Jesus to be the fulfillment of this messianic prophecy. Jesus is our eternal high priest. Melchizedek is a Christological type, foreshadowing Jesus the Messiah. Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,”
November 6, 2020
THERE IS A BETTER HOPE The law can reflect, but not perfect. The law itself is perfect. For it is from God, but it has no power to make perfect. It is like a mirror that reveals our sinful imperfection, but it has no power to remove it. Instead of bringing us closer to God,
November 6, 2017
The law can reflect, but not perfect. It is like a mirror that reveals sin, but it has no power over the flesh to remove it. Instead of bringing us closer to God, the law shows how vast is our separation. It was never given to save, but to point to our need for a Savior. Those who hope in the law will die. Yet, there is a “better hope” found in Christ alone. For those who have put their hope in Christ are able to “draw near” to God with “a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Heb. 10:22).
November 5, 2016
Melchizedek, whose name means “King of Righteousness,” was the king of Salem (or “Shalom – Peace”), whom Abraham paid a tithe (Gen. 14). Quoting Psalm 110:4, the author of Hebrews spoke of the perpetuity of Melchizedek’s priesthood, showing that it predated the Levitical priesthood, and continues on after it to eternity. Though Jesus was born into the royal line of Judah and not the priestly line of Levi, His priesthood is superior because His priestly claim preceded Levi’s and is in every way superior to his. So then, what was the purpose of the Law and the Levitical priesthood? It was a foreshadowing and a tutor (Gal. 3:24) preparing the people of God for its fulfillment in Christ Jesus. In Him, the threefold office of Prophet, Priest and King are united. Christ is our Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, forever standing before the Father making intercession for us.