CHRIST'S SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD

Hebrews 7:15-18 (15) And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, (16) Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (17) For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (18) For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. In v.18 of this text, the apostle declares the disannulling of a commandment, which in context is the carnal commandment of the Mosaic law of the Levitical priesthood. Something about that intercessory system was inherently weak and unprofitable. The flaw, though, was not so much with the law or the Lawgiver---the problem was with those to whom the carnal commandment was given. This law, as with any other aspect of the "do and live" nature of Moses' law, was "weak through the flesh" (Rom.8:3). The law of the Levitical priesthood made high priests of men who were compassed with infirmity (Heb.7:28 c/w Heb.5:2), i.e., sinners subject to death who died and had to be replaced in order for intercession to continue. That law embraced a system of sacrifices that could NEVER take away sins (Heb.10:4-11), for the sacrifices themselves were under the curse----under the bondage of corruption (Rom.8:20-22). But the Lord Jesus Christ was given a superior priesthood according to David's prophecy (Psa.110:4): that of Melchisedec. It was not a priesthood which came via a carnal commandment but by a solemn oath of perpetuity ("Thou art a priest FOREVER...") from God Himself, something which the Levites never received (Heb.7:21, Heb.7:28). When the Levitical high priest died physically, his priesthood ended. But when Jesus Christ died, His priesthood began---in heaven! In further contrast to the Levites, Christ "knew no sin..." (2 Co.5:21); He was "holy, harmless, undefiled..." (Heb.7:26). Further yet, "they were not suffered to continue by reason of death" (Heb.7:25), but Christ "continueth ever" and so "hath an unchangeable priesthood" (Heb.7:26); it never changes hands. (NOTE: is it not a comfort in a world of occupational uncertainty that our eternal life is founded upon One with eternal job security?!) The Levites offered only outwardly unspotted sacrifices, continually, repeatedly, futilely, but Christ offered Himself as a Lamb without spot to God (1 Pe.1:18; Heb.9:14) ONCE and FOREVER for the remission of sins, thus forever eliminating the need for blood sacrifice (Heb.9:25-28; Heb.10:11-18). The Levites (thanks be to God!) are the victims of the greatest occupational obsolescence in history. Since the priesthood has changed, "there is made of necessity a change also of the law" (Heb.7:12). It (the Law of the Levite) is DISANNULLED (Heb.7:18)! It ended with the death of Jesus Christ, just like Moses' Law in general, which was "added because of transgressions till the seed should come to whom the promise was made..." (Gal.3:19)," "until the time of reformation" (Heb.9:10). NOTE: Paul declares that the Law Covenant CANNOT DISANNUL the gospel promise made unto Abraham (Gal.3:17), but the gospel Priesthood which fufilled the Abrahamic promise DID DISANNUL the Law Covenant! How sad, therefore, that many professing Christians today are anticipating a revival of the ineffectual and terminated Levitical priesthood and even a restoration of animal sacrifices in a supposed kingdom age to come! To this end, there is even a concerted effort amongst Jewish academics and scientists to try to trace backward the bloodline of modern-day Cohen families ("Cohen" is Hebrew for "priest") with such marvels as DNA projections. And this with the approval of many professing Christians! What an insult to the finished work of Jesus Christ, Whose sacrifice and Priesthood has forever trumped that of the Levite! Christians, awake! Jews, repent!