Christ, Our Superior Priest
J. Gerald Harris
Hebrews 7:11-28
The Levitical priesthood was but a shadow of the superior priesthood to come. As a flickering torch predated the fluorescent light, as the horse-drawn surrey preceded the automobile, and as the phonograph was the forerunner of the cassette recorder, so was the Levitical priesthood the prototype of the preeminent priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The priesthood of the Aaronic order could not effectively pacify the conscience, cleanse the heart, or provide access to God. In fact, the priesthood of the old covenant simply offered an umbrage, a hint of the coming, complete, continuing, capable, consecrated priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. To sufficiently understand the significance and the superiority of the priesthood of the Son of God, one must first consider the prototype.
I. The Previous Priesthood
Our text reveals several glaring deficiencies in the Old Testament, or previous, priesthood. Indeed, this priesthood was incomplete, inferior, and invalidated.
A. It Was Incomplete
The reality that the Old Testament priesthood was incomplete or imperfect is clearly delineated in the text. Two words found in Hebrews 7:11 substantiate this truth: "perfection" and "another." "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, [for under it the people received the law,] what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"
The word "perfection" in this verse is a translation of the Greek word teleiosis, meaning to finish, to bring to completion. In Hebrews the word seems to refer to the producing of a satisfactory relationship whereby man is able to enter into the presence of God and stand before Him in good favor.
The old covenant could not provide this kind of free access to God. This right of way to the Father could only be accomplished by Christ who said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (J ...
J. Gerald Harris
Hebrews 7:11-28
The Levitical priesthood was but a shadow of the superior priesthood to come. As a flickering torch predated the fluorescent light, as the horse-drawn surrey preceded the automobile, and as the phonograph was the forerunner of the cassette recorder, so was the Levitical priesthood the prototype of the preeminent priesthood of Jesus Christ.
The priesthood of the Aaronic order could not effectively pacify the conscience, cleanse the heart, or provide access to God. In fact, the priesthood of the old covenant simply offered an umbrage, a hint of the coming, complete, continuing, capable, consecrated priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. To sufficiently understand the significance and the superiority of the priesthood of the Son of God, one must first consider the prototype.
I. The Previous Priesthood
Our text reveals several glaring deficiencies in the Old Testament, or previous, priesthood. Indeed, this priesthood was incomplete, inferior, and invalidated.
A. It Was Incomplete
The reality that the Old Testament priesthood was incomplete or imperfect is clearly delineated in the text. Two words found in Hebrews 7:11 substantiate this truth: "perfection" and "another." "If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, [for under it the people received the law,] what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?"
The word "perfection" in this verse is a translation of the Greek word teleiosis, meaning to finish, to bring to completion. In Hebrews the word seems to refer to the producing of a satisfactory relationship whereby man is able to enter into the presence of God and stand before Him in good favor.
The old covenant could not provide this kind of free access to God. This right of way to the Father could only be accomplished by Christ who said, "No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (J ...
There are 36933 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
