Missions Paul

This letter to a community of believers who are tempted to turn back to Judaism is a huge encouragement to us who also follow Jesus in a difficult world. It calls for us to look again at the benefits of a life with Jesus bring. It is simple, foundational and yet building your life on these truths are what brings you through this life to the next. Here are our next verses.

“Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. ⁴ If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. ⁵ They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” ⁶ But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.” (Hebrews 8 v 3-6)

This author is truly pastoring carefully the community of believers building from one theme to another. We are heading to a fuller explanation of the powerful promises/new covenant we have in Jesus.

Jesus had to offer gifts and sacrifices just like the high priest. But of course not in the Temple for we have already seen that Jesus was from the tribe of Judah and not Levi. But the sanctuary of Jesus is that of heaven not earth. We are reminded that Jesus is altogether better.

Jesus ministry is better: the emphasis is not on the ability of man to come into relationship with God but that of Jesus. It is the ability of Jesus that far outweighs anything we could possibly do.

Jesus’ mediation is better: His blood is better than that of animals. His blood stands between God and man which is better than the sacrifice of animals which only was able to bring man before God. His blood brings God near.

Jesus’ promises are better: This is leading us to a fuller explanation in the passage to come but reveals something of what these promises are established on and that is we will find out are the unconditional grace of God.

So today be encouraged in these truths of Jesus:

His ability to deal with your sin.

His blood seals a better covenant of relationship with God.

His promises that carry us through this life.

For many they will not read this book of Hebrews because it just seems so difficult with so many pages about priests and sacrificial systems. We are in a different timeline but also a completely different culture. However, if we don’t persevere we will miss huge important truths about Jesus Christ.

The one reason why you should not abandon your church and your faith is found in these passages that we are reading: Jesus Christ.

“Now the main point of what we are saying is this: we do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by a mere human being.“ Hebrews‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭

The main point is we need a High Priest and we have one, Jesus Christ.

The main point is we need a perfect High Priest and we have one, Jesus Christ, who sat down, a symbol of completed work, and who is exalted as Son of God, for no other can sit at the right hand.

The main point is we need an active High Priest and we have one, Jesus Christ, who is serving in the sanctuary of heaven.

Therefore we don’t abandon and turn back, we turn to Jesus, for who will save us when we sin?

We don’t reduce the one who died, was raised, ascended, exalted and glorified to something less, to dethrone Him because other important religious experiences, ideologies or the temptations of the world want to sit alongside Him in our lives. It doesn’t sit comfortably.

We don’t rely on our spiritual experiences from the hands of men, the glory of man (and of women of course!) and what man can perform and produce. It all is a shadow of the true spiritual experience when a divine exchange happens from the tabernacle of the Lord in heaven and where we are here on earth. 

The main point is Jesus.

Not once a year (day of Atonement) nor once for all people though it has power to do that.

So what is it? What is this once for all sacrifice of Jesus for sins?

”Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect for ever.“

Hebrews 7:27-28

We have learnt how to accommodate fears and sins, addictions and anxiety, they have become part of our daily lives. We have left Egypt but Egypt hasn’t left us. So every day we come before our priest and seek forgiveness and we know Jesus does exactly that because the Bible says so. And so we are forgiven and then we make a commitment to do better. And then we fail again the next day and we repeat the performance. Now can you imagine adding a priest/pastor into that way of life? So that we would visit that person who can then bring resolve to our troubled souls.

These people were being tempted to go back to their culture of mediation because it was just too difficult to be a Christian. The problem was that it was not effective. For the priest had to deal with their own sin along with the sins of the people. It was crying out for something to once for all deal with the problem.

Once for all means the sacrifice was enough. Around the world there are many trying to pay enough penance for the things they have done wrong. They feel the need to atone for their sins. To pay back. To put things right. And yet, Christ’s sacrifice was enough.

Once for all means the sacrifice was effective. The problem with the old sacrificial system was it could never deal with the daily power of sin. Why would you ever turn back to an old broken system from a place of grace?

Once for all means the sacrifice is the essence of Christianity and what differentiates us from all other religions. With us there are no laws making us right with God; with us we know God came to us so it is pointless to work at trying to get to God; and with us our leader is not dead!

How thankful we are that once for all is still appropriate for us today.

Thank God for your priest/pastor. However let’s be kind to them. They’ll never be able to compare with Jesus. They will never get to the place when the members are truly satisfied.

”Such a high priest truly meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.“ Hebrews 7:26

Your priest/pastor at times find themselves not as committed to the Church as you would like. But Jesus is. He is holy.

Your priest/pastor can be easily blamed for they are imperfect. But Jesus cannot. He is blameless.

Your priest/pastor has stains, mistakes and intentional sin on their record. But Jesus has not. He is pure.

Your priest/pastor is focused on many things. But Jesus is focused on the right thing. He is set apart from sinners.

Your priest/pastor is not yet the finished article. There is more to come. But Jesus is. He is exalted above the heavens.

When I visit churches I mostly enjoy talking to members who have been in their church for decades and some all their life. They have seen many pastors lead their church during their lifetime. “I could tell you a few things” they say to me. They’re right of course. They have seen the highs and lows of church life and they have remained which we are so thankful they did. We need to listen more to these people. They have seen more than we have and their eyes are full of wisdom.

I’ve got good news today.

”Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.“

Hebrews 7:23-25

Priests die and when they do they no longer serve the people, intercede for them, mediate for them before God.

The author is telling the people, ‘why go back?’

Jesus is eternal.

Wholly, totally, forever, never to be removed or replaced as representing you before God.

In the year 100 he was High Priest and in 2024 He still is!

He doesn’t come and go, He remains.

He is here.

So the Levitical system and Aaron work hasn’t in fact worked! It is useless. That’s what the author tells the people.

But Jesus, the High Priest from the tribe of Judah, (in which the law prevented any men becoming priests) in the order of Melchizedek, does work!

So how do we know that is the case?

“And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, ²¹ but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’ ²² Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.” (Hebrews 7 v 20-22)

The other priests were not affirmed by God, but Jesus is and the author uses the prophecy in Psalm 110 again as evidence. But once again he sets up for a further revelation by introducing a new subject. This time it is the covenant.

Sinai was spectacular, it was revolutionary for the law was birthed but it could never guarantee that people would be able to be not only acceptable to God but draw near to Him. In fact that covenant set the people up to fail. It was impossible and it still is to please God through efforts.

Here comes the new subject: Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant, a new one.

If someone defaults on their loan agreement then the guarantor has promised to pay the debt. The guarantor is responsible to cover those payments. The loan company or the bank can move to take action against the guarantor to cover the costs. If it can be proved that the one in debt has failed to keep up with payments then the guarantor can be claimed against.

We have defaulted. We have failed to fulfil the expectations on our lives as people of faith in God.

We are in debt to God for the sins we have committed.

We have failed our God.

But we have a guarantor! Action has been taken against Jesus on our behalf. He went to the cross for us. He has covered our payments and His blood still does.

This is the new covenant! And so we are off into exploring this wonderful truth. But before we do thank Jesus He is your guarantor. He has you covered. He has your back when it all goes wrong and when you go wrong. Amen!

These are difficult passages to read because they are not part of our culture nor the time we are living in. However, before we read the next verses, remember that this community of believers were facing pressure from within their own hearts and from persecution to return to Judaism. It would seem the authenticity of Jesus was something they were finding hard to defend. And even the important foundations of the gospel were being trampled upon. Are you really acceptable to God? Where is the ongoing sacrificial system that proves that to be so? Can you ever come close to God? How do you really know you are? Don’t you need a priest to be that mediator for you and a priest who is alive and practicing?

The answer to the above is this Judaism no longer works. In fact it was created not to work. It is weak, useless and calls out for something greater.

Let me put it another way. You working for your acceptance, striving to be as best you can by following the duties laid out by man, is pointless. Who do you think you are impressing? God? You needing someone, a Pastor, a spiritual guru, to bring you into the presence of God is a lie. Do you honestly think another human being no matter what their title can stand before God so innocent and pure and have the authority to bring you close to God?

Okay, let’s read:

“If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. ¹³ He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. ¹⁴ For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. ¹⁵ And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, ¹⁶ one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. ¹⁷ For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” ¹⁸ The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7 v 11-19)

So let us unpack these verses:-

• The try harder system doesn’t work, our priest needed to be different to that culture, v11. The Levitical priesthood was broken. With its many laws it was impossible to be good enough. It called for something new to come.
• The different culture was the tribe of Judah, of which Christ came from, but interestingly whose men were forbidden to be priests, v12-15. His priesthood broke the law. He was out of the box, different, not only of a different culture but it could never have been imagined. Instead of saying that is the proof Jesus was not the Priest of the Most High, it is the evidence that He is because nothing else was working.
• You cannot take your Christian experience and return to Judaism/try harder culture. It doesn’t work, the law never makes anyone complete and it never brings them into the presence of God, v18-19.

So today praise God that you are accepted by Him and then come before Him drawing near into His presence for the door is wide open.

It’s quite a question isn’t it?

Who is great? How do you know? Is it their wealth? Is it their position and title?

These thoughts have been occupying my mind of late.

It must be more than how the world measures it surely?

And what of those who didn’t have wealth? Mother Teresa? Martin Luther King Jr? Is it not influence not wealth that is the measurement?

Greatness is seen in the world through those who are able to conquer causing others to live under their shadow or be diminished in some way. Others are held back by the great one.

Let’s read some verses and you will see what’s in my mind this morning:-

“Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! ⁵ Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. ⁶ This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. ⁷ And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater. ⁸ In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. ⁹ One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ¹⁰ because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.” (Hebrews 7 v 4-10)

It’s not easy reading.

But basically the author is leading these believers away from abandoning Jesus Christ with their desire to go back to the way of Judaism because it is too tough to follow Christ.

Melchizedek received from Abraham.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham.

Abraham is the patriarch, the father of the faith. No one is greater in the eyes of the Jews.

The Levitical priests who are no higher than the people, for they are all descendants of their spiritual ‘father’ Abraham, tithed under him, it all pointed to him. They came after Abraham, they were ‘still in the body’ of Abraham, v10 meaning they were to come into being later. He was their past, present and future because all their activity was in the shadow of their patriarch. Such greatness!

And yet Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. And more than this he blessed Abraham who was carrying the promises, v6.

So how does this help our understanding of greatness? How do we measure greatness?

Here it is: It is not the one who has all the spoils of war (Abraham’s financial harvest) and it is not the one who has all the promises of blessing and future inheritance to come (Abraham’s promises were land, descendants, himself and the nations).

But it is the one who doesn’t want the whole but a tenth as a sign that he owns the whole. It is the one who blesses those promises that are in our lives.

The measurement of greatness is the one who wants the best for others and that can be seen by taking far less than they deserve or own and also who blesses, desires, wills if you want, that the other receives the promises that are in their life.

Melchizedek was greater than Abraham because he allowed him to have and carry the promise for more.

That’s greatness in the kingdom.

And this is why we should not walk from Christ. He provides for our life, He blesses our life and He proclaims the promises in His Word for our lives.

Greatness therefore is to live your life in such a way that:

• others benefit because of you
• others believe the best is yet to come because of you.

Remember that this community of believers were facing pressure to return to their Jewish roots and to abandon the sole Lordship of Christ. They are under intense pressure of persecution to let go of Jesus as their King and their Priest. What they battled with was the origin of Jesus not coming from the line of Aaron, their historical priest. But to let go of Jesus was to let go of their only hope. They/we are sinners who need saving from what we deserve which is God’s wrath and Jesus our High Priest is our only hope.

Over the next few days we will walk slowly through these verses to understand what the author is saying.

“This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, ² and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” ³ Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. (Hebrews 7 v 1-3)

The only reference in the Scriptures is that of Genesis 14:18-20 and Psalm 110:4. Yet it appears they know about Melchizedek more than those verses tell of him and maybe more than we would expect. Maybe there was some Jewish folklore about him.

Melek means king and zedek means righteousness. He is also king of Salem which means peace.

Melchizedek blessed Abraham, he was superior to the founder of their faith.

Melchizedek received from Abraham, he was his king of righteousness and peace.

The Scriptures are silent about his background and origin. He is rootless and timeless and there is silence to these questions.

Which priest of God Most High came after Melchizedek? It wasn’t Aaron. It was Jesus.

They didn’t worry about the silence surrounding Melchizedek’s origin so why are they so hung up about the origin of Jesus now?

The motivation for these sentences is not that we compare Christ with Melchizedek but that Christ is in the order of him of which there was no one like him. That is until Christ came and not only succeeded him but was superior to him!

Jesus does not fit into our little boxes of understand and intellect. He is far too big for all the political voices of thinking and experience that we carry around. That’s the point.

Jesus is the High Priest of God Most High. He is the one to bless and the one to receive from what we offer, not just a tithe but our whole lives. He knows humanity which is essential as the High Priest. This is who Jesus is. And as such we must not walk away from Him or turn back to the Jewish system because anything else is inferior to who He is. There is no one greater and no one we can go to, other than the High Priest of God Most High, Jesus Christ!

Never surrender your life to any storm that comes your way. From moments of discouragement to depths of despair many have said ‘I give up’. But the Spirit urges you today to hold on.

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love

The above hymn of the 19^th century by Priscilla Owens asks questions of us:

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life, when the clouds unfold their wings of strife? When the strong tides lift and the cables strain, will your anchor drift, or firm remain?

It is more than possible to answer with a loud and definite YES today!

The hymn was inspired by the verses we will read today.

“People swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. ¹⁷ Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. ¹⁸ God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, ²⁰ where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6 v 16-20)

God delivers on what He promises, v16-17. God will never be guilty of perjury! God delivers on the 2 ‘unchangeable things’ which are His promise and His oath. His promise is one thing but His promises is secured by an oath. Now who has a higher authority to be able to make sure the promise is delivered on? God Himself. The ultimate final court of appeal which has the highest security attached to His promise for your life is Himself.

God does not disappoint, v18. Last evening I was preaching in an amazing Elim Church in Brazil where the stage became a mercy seat for those fleeing to ‘take hold of the hope’ set before them. Many ran to kneel and surrender their lives before God’s throne. Huge encouragement came over their souls. No one was turned away. Mercy was there for everyone. It was mercy or continuing to remain in condemnation and mercy won. His promise of mercy was secured by His oath sealed by His blood.

God is dependable, v19-20. You are secure. This anchor means you will not go down but you will stay the course and bring you home. The picture of the inner Holy of Holies is right here. Jesus has gone before us as our forerunner and the anchor is now on His intercession for us. He is there as High Priest of our lives and we are right back to understanding He is our intermediary and an eternal one. Which sets us up for this interesting figure of Melchizedek.

We have an anchor that keeps the soul
Steadfast and sure while the billows roll
Fastened to the Rock which cannot move
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love