Our Indestructible Priest

The sermon text will be Hebrews 7:11-19.

One of the objections the Hebrew Christians faced from their Jewish family and friends was Jesus’ qualifications as high priest. The objections might have sounded something like this: “How can you trust in Jesus’ atonement for your sins when he is not a descendant of the tribe of Levi? He’s not qualified to atone for your sins because he’s not a priest according to the Law of Moses.” In Hebrews 7:11-19, the inspired author readily acknowledges this objection and counters by pointing to Christ’s appointment as priest after the order of Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood was unable to bring about the perfection that was needed for God’s people, and so God had decreed from eternity that there would be a different priesthood that would bring that perfection. And so Jesus’ not being from the tribe of Levi is not a weakness but a strength, as it reveals Jesus is part of an eternal priesthood, one that brings the perfection required by a holy God. And so in Christ we can now draw near to God, in full assurance of faith, because in him we have a better hope, one that will not disappoint.