A Superior Priesthood
11Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (upon which basis the people received the Law), why was there still a need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? 12For when the priesthood is changed, the Law must be changed as well.
13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, a tribe as to which Moses said nothing about priests.
15And this point is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16one who has become a priest not by a law of succession, but by the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is testified:
“You are a priest forever
in the order of Melchizedek.”a
18So the former commandment 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.
20And none of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, 21but Jesus became a priest with an oath by the One who said to Him:
“The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’”b
22Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23Now there have been many other priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office. 24But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore He is able to save completelyc those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.
26Such a high priest truly befits us—One who is holy, innocent, undefiled, set apart from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer daily sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people; He sacrificed for sin once for all when He offered up Himself. 28For the Law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the Law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
Do you truly understand these verses? I mean really understand them?
The writer of Hebrews was trying to convince Jewish Christians that Jesus completed the Law, to convince that He was the priest forever.
You see, some were crucifying Jesus all over again by inserting the Law, its requirements into Christianity. The writer was trying to tell them, to convince them to stop it!
What about you? Are you guilty of the same sin? I believe we all are at one time or another depending on our maturity in our walk with Christ. Some Christians crucify Christ all over by adding to Christianity laws such as; you must do this or that!
You must attend church on the sabbath!
You must be baptized to be saved!
You must dress in a suit when attending church!
And when we run out of laws we heap on judgments for the heck of it!
You must not sit in my seat at church!
You must judge others at church by their attire!
You must, you must, you must, crucify Christ again!
Stop sinning, and when you can't, repent!
May we stop adding to salvation, may we stop crucifying Christ over and over, and may we stop being judgmental.
Blessings, David
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