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If
it was, there was nothing to go back to. Instead of leaving Jesus
in order to go back to Judaism, there would only be Jesus!
Better
High Priest.
Jesus was recognized in the Psalms as a high priest even though His
genealogy is traced back to Levi. He came from a different Jewish
tribe.
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For
the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another
tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. For it
is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with
reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. And
this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to
the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become such not on the
basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the
power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of Him,
“THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
(NASB) Heb. 7:13-17 |
Jesus was from the tribe of Judah. No one from the tribe of Judah
had ever served as a priest - served at the altar. But Jesus as a
high priest from a different bloodline will. Jesus was a better high
priest.
Better
Hope.
The old Mosaic law had been given without a promise. It was useless,
weak and was going to end. Its priests were sinners and mortal men
who offered sacrifices for sin year after year. No one was ever made
perfect. The law was given without a promise and the priests were
appointed without an oath.
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For,
on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment
because of its weakness and uselessness (for the Law made nothing
perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a
better hope, through which we draw near to God. And inasmuch
as it was not without an oath (for they indeed became priests
without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said
to Him, “THE LORD HAS SWORN AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘THOU ART A PRIEST FOREVER’”) . . . (NASB) Heb.
7:18-21 |
But that is not true about Jesus. His priesthood is given with a promise
that He will continue as a high priest into the ages of eternity (the
Greek word is AION). This is true because He will never die.
As
a result the old Mosaic law, the old priesthood, was replaced when
Jesus came. The old was replaced with something new. Something better
came with the unchangeable oath - a better hope - a better covenant.
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.
. . so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of
a better covenant. And the former priests, on the one hand,
existed in greater numbers, because they were prevented by death
from continuing, but He, on the other hand, because He abides
forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Hence, also, He is
able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it
was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent,
undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up
sacrifices, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of
the people, because this He did once for all when He offered
up Himself. (NASB) Heb. 7:22-27 |
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