Hebrews 7:11-17 — Down with Melchezzie! The Law! The LAW!

READ THIS: Hebrews 7:11-17

11 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.”

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

This chapter is SO important in understanding the Jewish people's hesitation to Jesus. The key question and hesitation for a Jewish person with Jesus being our true high priest would be, "How could Jesus possibly be our High Priest when He isn't from the tribe of Levi? The Law says priests must be from Levi, and if the Law is how we can be perfect, then we need to follow that and Levitical priests...not Jesus."

In the very scrolls that the Jewish people learned the Law was Psalm 110, which proclaimed a coming King and Priest. It said that King/Priest would be "a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." So, the same Law that required a priest in the order of Levi also required that there at some point be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. That feels incredibly contradictory IF the Law is perfect how it is and is the only thing that we need to be perfect...read on tomorrow to hear more on that!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. Why would the Law require both a priest in the order of Aaron AND in the order of Melchizedek? What is the difference between those two types of priests?
 
2. Why does the law have to change if the priesthood changes? (Verse 12). 

TRY THIS:

Imagine being a Jewish person who believed the law is perfect. What hesitations would you have about Jesus and some kind of new law? 

How would this exercise help you be able to communicate to a Jewish person better about Jesus?

SONG OF THE WEEK:
 
NEW SONG OF THE WEEK - This week, we are learning a LOT about Jesus being the high priest who intercedes for us in Heaven. Check out this Shane + Shane song that dives into the particulars of that! (Spotify or Youtube)





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