Hebrews 7:11-22
Early on in 2019 we read the following passage: Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (Matthew 5:17) In today’s reading a simple verse puts an exclamation mark on that statement. In the past I have often thought of Jesus’ fulfilling the Law in two activities. First, He was sinless so he fulfilled the requirements of the Law by following those laws. Second, His sacrificial death meant that animal sacrifices were no longer needed to cover our sins; He did it all on the cross.
So here’s today’s verse: For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. (v. 14) Not only has Jesus fulfilled and “set aside” the Law, but in becoming our High Priest He has come out of the tribe of Judah – He has set aside the entire priesthood given to the Levites at Mt. Sinai! The High Priesthood has moved to an entirely different tribe! That is an exclamation mark on Jesus’ fulfilling the Law and the Prophets!
Slava Bohu!
It must have really been galling to the Levites and the high priests: their role and title were not in the new covenant. No sacrificial system, no Levitical priesthood. And no tithes to them!!!! No money, no economic status. Dead branches pruned away though some were able to change and become believers, praise God! May we never find ourselves as dead branches.