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11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 7:11-17
In Hebrews 7:1-10, the writer of Hebrews established the greatness of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ. He did this by observing Melchizedek, whose priesthood, as depicted in Genesis 14 and Psalm 110, prefigured that of Christ's.
In v.11-14 of today's passage, we learn of the imperfection of the inferior human priesthood. It was imperfect because the high priest himself was sinful. Then in v.15-17, we learn of the perfection of the superior and eternal priesthood of Christ. In these verses, the writer of Hebrews tells us what the Lord Jesus does for us as the "high priest according to the order of Melchizedek."
In v.11 of today's passage we read, "If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?"
The Lord Jesus didn't nullify the Old Testament priesthood, He fulfilled it. The issue of Judaism was the sinfulness of man, and, the fact that the blood of bulls and goats could not completely wash away man's sin. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Great High Priest who fulfilled all of God's requirements as the Perfect High Priest. No mere man can go to God unless he be taken there by the Perfect One who stands between man and God. This is the argument of this entire section of Hebrews.
The word translated "perfection" implies fulfillment of purpose. God's purpose for humanity is to be in personal relationship with Him. This purpose could not be fully fulfilled by the Levitical priests of the Old Testament. The priests in Israel were from the tribe of Levi, and the high priests descended from Aaron, who was also a Levite. Although the Levitical priesthood was ordained by God in the law given by Moses, it was lacking due to sin. Therefore, there was a "need" for a different kind of priest from a different kind of order, one like the order of Melchizedek. God saw our need, and He met it by sending His Son who came as our eternal King-Priest.
In v.12-14 of today's passage we read, "12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests."
God never intended the old covenant with Israel to go on forever. He knew from eternity past that it would have to be replaced by a different priesthood. But, the Lord Jesus did not have the expected priestly lineage. No one from Judah had ever served as a priest, which means that if one does, and God ordains it, it must be an extraordinary case. And, the Lord Jesus Christ is an extraordinary case. Due to His divine nature, there is no one like Him. He changed the categories so that He could come and fulfill the need of mankind caused by the Fall. He came as the High Priest who would bear the sin of His own creation.
The verb in v.14 translated "descended" is better translated "arisen." The Lord Jesus rose up to meet our need. He saw our desperate state and came to our aid. As our Eternal High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ rose up to meet our need. And, like Melchizedek's, the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ transcends the sin of mankind.
In v.15-17 of today's passage we read, "15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared: 'You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.'"
The Lord Jesus is qualified to save us to the uttermost because of the power of His "indestructible life." An indestructible life is better than a fleshly command, in that it is eternal and not bound by the human. The powerful, indestructible priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ was anticipated and attested by the Old Testament scriptures. When the Lord Jesus rose from the dead, the very power that raised Him from the dead made it possible for us to come into a personal and eternal relationship with God.
And now, the Lord Jesus has set us on a new track, a track that is different than the tracks of this world. The world says we gain our lives by getting more, while the Lord Jesus says, "No, those tracks lead to death. You get your life back by giving it away and when you give it away you get it back." This is a life worth living, a life that is not tainted by the self and by this fallen world.
