Hebrews 7:11-28
1. Jesus Is Better Than What Came Before
Hebrews 7 returns to the argument about Jesus being our great high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
The Levitical priests were part of God’s good provision under the old covenant, but they could never provide what we ultimately need. They were mortal. They were sinners. Their priesthood was temporary. And their sacrifices could never finally bring God’s people to perfection.
Jesus is different.
He didn’t inherit His priesthood simply because He was born into the right family. He came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi. His priesthood wasn’t based on genealogy but on “the power of an indestructible life.”
And unlike the priests who continually died and had to be replaced, Jesus lives forever.
That’s why Hebrews says the old priesthood was unable to provide what we need, while Jesus gives us “a better hope, through which we draw near to God.”
The better hope isn’t simply a better religious system.
The better hope is Jesus.
Questions for consideration and discussion:
- What are some things you are tempted to rely on for confidence, acceptance, or closeness to God instead of Jesus?
- How does knowing that Jesus lives forever and gives you access to God change the way you approach Him?
“A better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.”
— Hebrews 7:19
2. Jesus Never Stops Interceding for You
One of the most comforting statements in this passage is that Jesus “always lives to intercede” for His people.
Jesus isn’t merely the one who saved you in the past. He is actively ministering for you right now.
He doesn’t quit.
He doesn’t get tired of you. He doesn’t discover something about you that makes Him regret saving you. He doesn’t abandon His work halfway through.
The word intercede carries the idea of stepping in on someone’s behalf, pleading for them, or standing between parties to bring about reconciliation.
That’s what Jesus is doing for His people.
And that means that if you’re afraid you’ve gone too far, Jesus is not standing at a distance waiting for you to clean yourself up. He is your living High Priest, interceding for you.
His priesthood is permanent because He is permanent. His sacrifice is sufficient because He offered Himself, not another animal. And His access to the Father becomes our access to the Father.
Questions for consideration and discussion:
- Where are you currently tempted to believe that you’ve gone too far for God’s grace?
- How would your prayers change if you genuinely believed that Jesus is presently and continually interceding for you?
“Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.”
— Hebrews 7:25
3. Treasure Jesus Above Everything Else
So how does all of this actually produce obedience?
Not primarily through fear.
Not through coercion.
Not through guilt.
Through treasuring Jesus.
Jesus tells a parable about a man who discovers treasure buried in a field. He recognizes its value, and “in his joy” he sells everything he has to obtain it.
Notice the motivation: joy.
He doesn’t reluctantly give everything away because someone forced him to. He gladly gives everything because he has seen something better.
That’s the heart of Christian obedience.
We always act according to what we treasure most. Our greatest desires shape our lives. And if Jesus truly becomes our greatest treasure, obedience begins to flow from that love.
The goal isn’t simply to get people to comply.
The goal is to see Jesus as better.
Better than comfort.
Better than status.
Better than success.
Better than sin.
Better than approval.
Better than anything this world can offer.
And when we see Him as better, we can gladly give up lesser things to have Him.
Questions for consideration and discussion:
- What do your time, money, attention, and energy reveal about what you currently treasure?
- What would it look like this week to actively cultivate a greater love and delight in Jesus rather than simply trying harder to obey Him?
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure buried in a field that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.”
— Matthew 13:44
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