December 20, 2010 Hebrews 7-10

Abraham met Melchizedek in Genesis 14:17-20 (Jan 4th), who was a priest of God Most High. There is no record of where Melchezedek came from, but he remains a priest forever. Abraham paid him tithing, and Melchezedek gave bread and wine. A long time after, the Jews paid tithing to the Levites who were priests of Aaron (Moses' brother). When Abraham gave tithing to Melchezedek, that priesthood was superior to the one which would be named after Aaron, from the tribe of Levi, a long while later. Jesus was called a priest after the order of Melchezedek in Psalm 110:4, which made the old Law obsolete. Jesus is perfect and can forgive our sins, not just cover them with the blood of animal sacrifices.

Jesus is our High Priest and He serves in the Most Holy Place, the real tent put up by the Lord, not by man. The manmade temple is a shadow of what's in heaven. The work Jesus does is superior and so is the covenant He made with for us with God. Jeremiah 31:31-34 reveals what God has in mind.

There were many rules for worship and a manmade place for it as well. Moses received detailed instructions for the Tent of Meeting. The priests performed their duties every day. Only the high priest could go behind the curtain into the Holy of Holies once a year. They did their rituals to atone for their sins. Our High Priest is Jesus Christ, and His tent is in heaven itself. When Jesus comes again he will save those who wait for Him.

The Jewish Law is a faint outline of good things to come. Before Jesus was born He talked with God and offered Himself in order to do away with animal sacrifices. Jesus did what God wanted Him to do and our sin is taken away. Jesus opened the way to the Most Holy Place for us by His death. He opened the curtain (the curtain of the temple tore in two from top to bottom the instant He died) of the temple for us. We can come to God through Jesus Christ and be forgiven. We still need to meet together to encourage one another in the Way. Because we have been given this gift of forgiveness, the consequences of turning our back on it are terrifying.

Tomorrow read Hebrews 11-13