Some years ago I went to a chiropractor for my back. I was having serious problems with it while working at FedEx and saw an ad in the paper for a free x-ray and exam. “Oh,” the chiropractor said, “your back is in really bad shape.” As he began to show me the x-ray and explain how my back was not right I began to ask him how long it would take to straighten out my back problem. He said that if a person was at 50% function in their back they could be eventually adjusted to perhaps 90% or more. Then they could have intermittent tune-ups as function continued to drop to bring it back up. So I reasoned, “Well then I would never be completely better.” And more or less he said, “no.” In other words I would be hooked for life. So I went to my regular doctor and he said, “Your back is in bad shape but do these exercises to strengthen the muscles and you’ll be all set.” Guess which advice I followed.
Well this is what the author brings us to this morning. No, not a recommendation about what medical plan to follow but the fact that the Old Covenant was an incomplete system that could never reach perfection because of flawed priests who were part of the system. And this sacrificial arrangement would continue to go on without every providing complete satisfaction. Therefore there needed to be a New Covenant that would complete forever the sacrificial system and remove the need for a human priesthood that failed to offer perfection. So the key idea for this section is the weakness of a human priesthood under the law necessitated the abandonment of any earthly priesthood for a New Covenant and a new priest.
The author describes that there was a change in the Law. And he outlines three aspects to the change in the law that took place with the coming of Jesus Christ.
I. The Need for the Change in the Law
The first aspect the author outlines is the need for the change in the law. There was a need for a change in the law because it could not accomplish what God intended. God had another purpose for the Law but it was not to bring completion. It was merely, as the author states in chapter 9, “a symbol for the present time” and “regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation.” Now in the passage we see two reasons there is a need for a change in the law.
A. Its components were weak and useless
The first reason there is a need for a change in the law is its components were weak and worthless. In verses 18-19 the author says, “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).” There is a weakness in the regulations of the Law because they were only shadows to point to Christ. They were to bring conviction of sin and cause people to come to God through faith as they saw the impossible requirements found in the law. These regulations, however, could never save for they were simply ritual that prefigured all that God was going to do in Christ.
For someone to trust in these symbols would only bring death to an individual. For someone to follow the symbols and not see the change of heart God required through them would cause someone to have merely an outward appearance of worshipping God and not the true worship that finds its expression in spirit and in truth.
The law had an inherent weakness in it that it could not provide people with the strength to obey. There were sacrifices by which they could draw near to God but it was not something that entered the heart. The outward actions accomplished by the worshippers did not cleanse their hearts nor give them a willing spirit to obey. This was a real weakness of the Law.
Another weakness of the Law is it never completed God’s work on behalf of man. Continually there were sacrifices. There were daily sacrifices, special sacrifices and the yearly sacrifice of the Day of Atonement. But they never completed the work of God in redemption. This is why it was weak and useless. If this work could have been done continuously from the beginning of time with more priests and more worshippers it still never would have been completed. This system was not designed to finish God’s work. And so the weakness is you have a futile system without any hope of accomplishing completely what it was attempting to show.
B. It contained imperfect priests
The second reason there is a need for a change in the Law is it contained imperfect priests. And because there needed to be a change in the priesthood there needed to be a change in the Law. Verse 12 says, “For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also.” Now the priest was supposed to be the mediator between God and man. Sinful men would come to the priest, the priest would offer the sacrifice on behalf of their sin before God and provide an avenue of access to God for the people. However, the priests, who were to be mediators, fell short in their job description because they were imperfect. There are two ways these imperfect priests fell short.
1. They died
The first way these imperfect priests fell short is they died. In verse 23 the author notes, “The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing.” These priests could not fulfill their obligation to minister for the people because they died. They never finished the work they were doing. They left their work undone. They were like an author who was in the middle of a great work when he died. The book was incomplete. He was unable to complete the task he tried to accomplish. In the same way the priests continued to make sacrifice but they never finished it. There were always more sacrifices. There were always more prayers. Then they died and left their work uncompleted. Yes it is true someone else may have picked up their work but they too could not finish it. A mere mortal could not accomplish the work because it was too great. So they could only show the picture of the work and not the very work itself.
2. They had sin
The second way these imperfect priests fell short is they had sin. In verses 26-27, the author says, “For it was fitting for us to 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.” The weakness of the law was that it appointed priests who had sin. For this reason they could not be perfect mediators. They had to offer sacrifice for their own sins. They had to present an offering for themselves first. Then they could offer up sacrifice for the people. But even in this they could not offer perfect sacrifices. We might very well say to the priests, “physician heal thyself.” What they had come to do in interceding for the people they needed to have done for themselves. This is why I am not your priest! They were flawed. They could not offer the true sacrifice because they had sin. They could only be a picture of the real mediator or go-between. But there is a vast difference between the picture and the object itself. The picture is not real. It cannot accomplish what the object can. And in the same way these priests with sin could only make a show of the coming true sacrifice offered for sin one time forever.
II. The Scope of the Change in the Law
The next aspect the author outlines is the scope of the change in the Law. To what extent was the law changed? How was it changed? The author answers these questions in verses 13-16. And the author presents two reasons why the law was changed in the way it was.
A. There was no room in the Old Covenant for a priest from Judah
The first reason the law was changed in the way it was is there was no room in the Old Covenant for a priest from Judah. Verses 13&14 say, “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.” In the books of Moses, God describes how the sons of Aaron from the tribe of Levi would be the priests according to the covenant God was making with them. He made no provision for anyone else to be a priest from another tribe. And so lies the dilemma; according to the Old Covenant a priest couldn’t come from Judah. But according to the promises of God made to Israel the Messiah would come out of the tribe of Judah. So if this Messiah would be a priest-king then the requirement under the Old Covenant that priests could only come from the tribe of Levi needed to be abrogated or abolished. And since the Old Covenant stood or fell as a whole then the entire covenant had to be done away with. And God changed it by making His oath about a priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
B. The new priesthood was not determined by genealogy but by power
The second reason the law was changed in the way it was, is that the new priesthood was no longer determined by genealogy but by power. In verses 15&16 we see, “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 commandment, but according to the power of an indestructible life.”
If the New Covenant was to be effective and complete in God’s purpose to bring people to Himself then this covenant must be built upon a priest who could be absolutely effective in His office. If He would offer sacrifice it must complete the work of God on behalf of men. So the basis for this priesthood would be the power to accomplish what God called for and not being part of a certain family. So when God advertised the job only one résumé was acceptable to fulfill all the job requirements. And that one was Jesus, the Son of God. The point of it is only God was able to fulfill His own requirements.
But this is the encouraging and exciting part. No longer do we need to rely on flawed priests to bring us before God. We needn’t wait and wonder if the sacrifice they offer on our behalf will be accepted before God. We don’t need to come to God in any other way except through a priest who has been accepted based on the power of an indestructible life! It is this high priest, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is without sin or weakness that has become our mediator. And He is the mediator of a better covenant.
III. The Benefits of the Change in the Law
This brings us to the final aspect of the change in the law. And this aspect is the benefits of the change in the law. The author describes two benefits.
A. A better hope
The first benefit of the change in the law is that it produces a better hope. In verses 18-19 the author says, “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.” Now the idea of this better hope is not that the old was good but this is better but that the old was ineffective and now we have a hope that is better in that it is truly effective. This one brought completion where the other could not. This one brought a real and certain hope produced by Christ’s work and guaranteed by God’s own faithfulness. This is what the author notes in verse 22. “so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.” He came as a replacement to the Old. He came to accomplish what the Old could not.
This is what Jesus spoke of in Luke 5. There he said, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” Jesus’ ministry was a completely new model. It could not fit into the mold of the Old Testament. If He had tried it would have burst the mold. Jesus was legitimately able to say, “I do not come to abolish the law but fulfill it” because He was completing or fulfilling what the Old Covenant model could not do. The change in the law brought about a better hope. As we read two weeks ago it is a hope that is “sure and steadfast” and one that brings us within the veil into the very presence of God. This is something the Old Covenant with flawed human priests could not do!
B. A better priest
The next benefit of the change of the law is that it presents to us a better priest. There are four characteristics of this better priest the author brings to our attention.
1. permanent
The first characteristic of this new priest is he is permanent. In verses 23-24, we see “The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.” Again Jesus can do what no other human priest could do because He continues in His office forever. He can fully carry out the role of mediator for the people of God because He is the one who has access to the Father and can lead us directly to Him. This is why the author says in chapter four says we are to draw near to the throne of grace WITH CONFIDENCE so we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This aspect of the priesthood of Christ tells us there is no further need for other priests to offer sacrifice because He is the only one needed.
Why is He the only one needed? Verse 27 tells us. It says, He “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.” Here it is. The Scripture says He did this “once for all!” He made one sacrifice for sin and that was sufficient. It would be blasphemy to suggest that any other offerings would have to be made after this. Clearly the sacrifice of Himself ONCE FOR ALL is the lynchpin to this New Covenant and is crucial to biblical faith. This is why God is able to draw this whole system to a close with the once for all sacrifice of Christ. To start again in such a system would declare Christ’s once for all sacrifice on the cross null and ineffective.
2. pure
The second characteristic of this new priest is that he is pure. Look at verse 26. “For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens.” This is our priest. Look at the purity of His character. There is no flaw in Him unlike any other human priest. He is holy. This isn’t the normal word we use for holy. It refers to the consecration of an individual in their service toward God. Jesus has been set apart to minister before the Father. The Scripture also says He is innocent. This refers to being without guilt. The next verse concluded Jesus didn’t need to offer a sacrifice for His own sins daily. He was the guiltless priest who could intercede for us. This term denoted his moral qualification for the office. He could officiate because he was without guilt.
I think too often today we fail to recognize the moral authority required for positions of leadership. Even some Christians think they can function in a role of leadership independently of how they behave. They think they can minister to people in Christ’s power while living in a way that makes a mockery of Him. But the Scripture says they are hypocrites who are only in for a more severe judgment because of it. It infects every realm of society but this Clinton syndrome should not be in the church. You cannot lead like this and bear fruit that is lasting.
The next term used to describe Jesus is undefiled. This describes the fact Jesus is qualified to enter the presence of God. He and He alone is able to come before God because He is undefiled. This is why we need a priest like Him.
He is also depicted as separate from sinners. It was not that Jesus did not spend time with sinners for He came to be among us and show us the glory of the Father, but that He would not partake in their sin. The participation He had with sinners was completely in accord with His holy nature. This is our pure high priest.
3. powerful
The third characteristic of this new priest is He is powerful. In verse 25 we see, “He is able to also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” Jesus is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him because His sacrifice was accepted. He is alive forever more to prove it. And because of this He saves completely. Christ’s salvation of individuals is not partial or incomplete. It is absolute. He is able to save “absolutely.” Any one who will draw near to God through Christ has assurance of that salvation.
It is not on the basis of our effort or ongoing attempt at good works that saves it is Christ’s work completed on the cross. Because He is alive in heaven His sacrifice stands as the only efficacious, or effective, sacrifice given on behalf of our sins.
4. perfect
The final characteristic of our new priest is He is perfect. In verse 28 the author says, “For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.” The author makes this difference throughout the passage. At the beginning of the passage he says, “If perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law).” And in verse 19 he says, “for the law made nothing perfect.” But what the Law could not do in making anything perfect the word of the oath from God did, in which He swore, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” This appointed His Son as the perfect priest. Why should we go anywhere else but to Jesus when He is the One who has offered the perfect sacrifice that can make perfect forever those who draw near to God through Him?
We can see that the Old Testament shadow of an imperfect priesthood made of flawed individuals needed to be set aside in annulment so the way for the single permanent, pure, powerful and perfect Son of God, Jesus, in the priesthood of Melchizedek could accomplish what no human priesthood could. And the author argues that to go back to such a priesthood is in reality a rejection of the work Jesus accomplished in perfection.
So the point of this message is we should cling to Jesus for access to the Father and we should cling to Him alone. Any group that offers another priesthood with ongoing sacrifices has rejected the perfect work of Christ on their behalf. They are living under the condemnation of the Law that can make nothing perfect and will only result in their rejection from God’s presence.
1) To you who need to cling to Jesus alone
2) To you who are hesitating between two systems of righteousness cling to the only one that can make you free, the New Covenant ministry of Jesus on our behalf.
3) To you who have already fled to Jesus – don’t doubt what God has done for you in Christ but believe with your heart Christ’s sacrifice has made you perfect in the sight of God forever and rejoice in that freedom that the sacrifice of Christ has provided once for all.
Luke 1:74-75 describes the purpose for Christ coming & dying in our place. “To grant that we, having been rescued from the hand of our enemies (the slavery of sin & the power of the devil) might serve Him w/out fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.”