Letter to the Hebrews Message Twenty One
In these chapters, we have been learning of the superiority of Jesus Christ in the Administration of the office of the great High Priest. Paul has written of his office not being of man, nor in the lineage of man, but a special office through a special call of God. In chapter 7:1-19 Paul gave details of the difference in the offices of the Aaronic priesthood and that of Melchisedec. We have already noted these differences and will not go through them again here. What we must see this morning is the description of our wonderful Lord and His ministry unto us. We are given a word picture, a beautiful portrait of our Lord.
Hebrews 7:20-28 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
1). He has a unique order. 7:1-10
2). He has a perfect order. 7:11-19
3). He has an everlasting order. 7:20-25

We note three things about this order: Established, Everlasting, and Effective.

a). Established by God’s oath. 7:20-22

The Lord Jesus Christ’s office as High Priest will never change – ever! “…made a surety of a better testament.” He is the guarantee of our position before God. As High Priest, He represents man to God and also God to man.

b). Everlasting because of His life. 7:23,24
“…He ever liveth to maketh intercession for them.”

Those that have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation have everlasting life!

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1 John 2:25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.

These promises are guaranteed by the Lord and are –

c). Effective because of His position. 7:25

Look at the blessed description of the Lord –

(1). Power – God the Son “…able to save…”
(2). Perpetuity – “…ever liveth…”
(3). Position – “…he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

Jesus is uniquely qualified to be superior in mediation. He only is worthy!

2. Because of His exaltation. . 7:26 – 8:5

The Lord Jesus Christ is the perfect Mediator – “…for such an high priest became us…” He was suited to the need. His Being, Who He is, fulfills all that is needed for the salvation of man.

a. His character described. 7:26

Consider the description of the Lord in your minds – Think on Him!

1). Holy ‘Pure’
2). Harmless ‘without malice’ not looking for a reason to fight
3). Undefiled ‘untainted’, “real, ethical cleaness”
4). Separate from sinners – both in nature and in proximity.
(Sinless Person – the Son of God; Sinless place –
“Made higher than the heavens.”

b. His crucifixion. 7:27
c. His call. 7:28 ‘Our perfect High Priest – forever’

This morning as we consider His Character, crucifixion, and call as the High Priest and –

We note the overarching purpose of the ages is to glorify God.
We note the satisfaction and of the justice of God through His death.
We note the provision of salvation by grace through faith.
What does this mean to us this morning as we consider His purpose for us, here and now? We must remember His purpose in this age of grace – “I will build my church…”. Paul spoke of the Lord’s expectations of us in his first letter to Timothy –

“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

We note His ownership in all of these things this morning: His Character, His Crucifixion, His call and now –

d. His church

Now, we rejoice greatly as the portrait of the Lord Jesus Christ is painted before us in these words of Spirit and of Truth.

But, what happens when we are described in words of truth – the Light is shined on us. We may say that we do not want to be in the light, but the fact of the matter is we are.

Refer to –

1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

What about our character, crucifixion, and call?
Character – How would those that know us describe us? Christ like character?
Crucifixion –

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Call – “…a holy priesthood…” to do what” “…To offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”

What are spiritual sacrifices and how do we offer them? We must begin as those in Macedonia did –

2 Corinthians 8:4-5 Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Following this is praise, prayer, and service unto the Lord.

Do you want to measure yourself this morning?

How much time do you spend in praise of the Lord. How thankful are you?

Are you thankful in everything?

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

How much time do you spend in prayer?

How much time do you spend in serving?

Philippians 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

What is my purpose in life? To glorify Him.