A Greater High Priest
Hebrews 7
October 6, 2024
Jay Haugh

(1) The shadow of Melchizedek.

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. —Hebrews 7:1-2 ESV

Melchizedek has no beginning of days or end of life.

He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. —Hebrews 7:3 ESV

The author likens Melchizedek to Jesus with a literary device.

Melchizedek is like the Son of God.

The type is Melchizedek, and the antitype is Jesus.

(2) The superiority of Melchizedek.

See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils! And those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment in the law to take tithes from the people, that is, from their brothers, though these also are descended from Abraham. But this man who does not have his descent from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior… One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him. —Hebrews 7:4-10 ESV

The Melchizedekian priesthood is greater than the Levitical priesthood.

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? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. —Hebrews 7:11-12 ESV

For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. —Hebrews 7:18-19 ESV

The priest and sacrifices could not perfect a person.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. —Romans 10:4 ESV

(3) Jesus gives a “greater hope” that is secure.

And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 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.’” —Hebrews 7:20-21 ESV

Jesus is our final priest and final sacrifice.

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. —Hebrews 7:22-24 ESV

Jesus holds His priesthood in perpetuity.

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. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 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. 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. —Hebrews 7:25-28 ESV

It’s a perfect system and sacrifice never to be improved upon because it was performed by the divine Son of God.

Big Idea:

We have a better High Priest who gives us a better hope to draw near to God.

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

Memory Verse: Hebrews 1:1-2a NIV
Long ago in many ways and at many times God’s prophets spoke his message to our ancestors. But now at last, God sent his Son to bring his message to us.

The goal of these questions is to foster meaningful discussion and to encourage participants to reflect on God’s Word to lead to heart transformation. Feel free to modify or expand upon these questions based on the dynamics and needs of your Small Group.

Read Hebrews 7:1-10
How does the author of Hebrews use the story of Melchizedek to illustrate the nature of Christ’s priesthood? What are the limitations of the Levitical priesthood? Why was there a need for another priest to come in the order of Melchizedek?

Melchizedek foreshadows Jesus, our ultimate King of Peace. Where in your life right now do you feel a lack of peace? Are there internal struggles or anxieties that you are holding onto? How can you surrender these to Jesus and experience His peace more fully?

Abraham saw the greatness of Melchizedek and gave him an offering of ten percent. Giving is a very personal part of our walk with Jesus but also reveals where our heart is. What motivates your giving? How can you cultivate a heart that gives generously and joyfully as an act of worship?

Read Hebrews 7:11-28
Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him. How do you personally come to God through Jesus? Are there barriers in your life that prevent you from fully drawing near to God? Why should we never lose wonder in the thought that God not only wants us to draw near to Him but that He has made a way for us to do so?

Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes for us. How does this impact your view of prayer? Are there specific people or situations that you feel led to pray for regularly? Are there times when you find it difficult to pray for someone else? Why do you think that is?

Do you think over time we can become desensitized to the truth of Jesus’ sacrifice? What are some warning signs that this might be happening? What practices or habits can we adopt to keep the sacrifice of Jesus fresh and significant in our hearts and minds?

How does understanding Jesus as our perfect High Priest affect your approach to dealing with sin and guilt? How do you experience God’s forgiveness in your life? Share a specific instance where this truth became very real to you. How can we ensure that our understanding of forgiveness through Jesus leads to genuine repentance rather than complacency?

Hebrews 4:15-16 emphasized how Jesus is like us—that He’s able to relate to our weakness. This chapter, though, places an emphasis on how Jesus is different from us and any other human priest. Why are both the similarity of Jesus to us and His difference from us important for His role as priest?