Hebrews 7:11–19 “A Better Hope”

Hebrews 7:11-19 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• Passion – Jesus Paid It All ft. Kristian Stanfill
• Before the Throne of God Above – Selah
• Phil Wickham – Living Hope
• Hope Darst – Mighty Name Of Jesus

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

*Parents/Guardians, please check the lesson video before the worship and see which video would be appropriate for your child(ren).

• The Ten Commandments | Stories of the Bible – Lesson for Younger Kids
• Sacrifice & Atonement – The Bible Project – Lesson for Older Kids
• Northview Kids NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD – Song for Kids
• Friend of God (Dance Version) | Motions & Lyrics | CJ and Friends – Song for Kids
• I Am Yours by Elevation Church Kids performed by Grace Chapel Kids – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

After explaining about Melchizedek, the author describes the priesthood of the Levitical order. The priesthood of the descendants of Levi followed the command given through the law (v.11). “Perfection” refers to complete and eternal atonement. The Levitical priests had to offer sacrifices continually because the atonement they offered was not perfect. To accomplish complete and eternal atonement, a different kind of sacrifice was needed—one unlike the sacrifices offered by the descendants of Levi.

In order for such a sacrifice to be offered, there also had to be a change in the law (v.12). The law loses its effect when perfection comes. Jesus Christ is the one who fulfilled the “Law and the Prophets” and stands above them. If perfection came through Jesus Christ, then the sacrificial system carried out by the priests of the tribe of Levi also had to change.

Jesus was born of the tribe of Judah. According to the law, he was not eligible to serve as high priest. Yet, he became the High Priest. Just as Melchizedek was appointed as a priest apart from the law, Jesus was also appointed as High Priest regardless of the legal requirements (vv.13–15).

The “power of an indestructible life” (v.16) refers to God, and it stands in contrast to the temporary regulations of the law. Jesus’ high priesthood is eternal, just as Psalm 110:4 declares (v.17). Since the eternal has come, “the former commandment is set aside because it was weak and useless” (v.18). Jesus Christ has become the cause of “a better hope” for us. This “better hope” refers to the hope that, through the grace of his shed blood, we may receive forgiveness of sins. Because of that hope, we “draw near to God” (v.19).

Meditation:

According to records left by a Roman who visited Jerusalem during Jesus’ time, the smell of animal blood from the temple and the smoke from the burnt offerings filled the entire city. Although this was written by an outsider with the intent to disparage Jewish tradition—and therefore likely exaggerated—it still reflects a degree of truth. Despite its geopolitically unfavorable location to serve as the capital of a nation, Jerusalem became one of the most prosperous cities of its time, mainly due to the massive consumption system sustained daily by the temple.

This was made possible because of the limited efficacy of the sacrificial system established by the law. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest entered the Most Holy Place to offer a sacrifice for the atonement of all the people’s sins. He had to repeat this ritual every year. In addition, individuals were required to bring animals or grains to offer atonement sacrifices according to the regulations of the law for their personal sins. Being weak and human, they would inevitably sin again, and so they had to offer sacrifices continually. Thus, the flow of animal blood in the temple never ceased, and the smoke rising to the heavens never stopped.

That massive system of consumption came to a halt when the Roman army destroyed the temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Jesus had foretold that this would happen. He declared that the era of offering atonement sacrifices with the blood of animals would come to an end, and that the endless repetition of sacrifices each time a person sinned would also cease. This was because he himself would offer an eternal and perfect sacrifice by shedding his own blood on the cross. Through this, he abolished the Levitical priesthood and its sacrificial system. Now, we can draw near to God by relying on the power of His precious blood.

Prayer:

Today, once again, we live by abiding in the grace of your precious blood. That grace places us in the Most Holy Place. God is in us, and we are in God. Oh Lord, we thank you for giving us this grace. May our every breath today—our lying down and rising up, our thoughts, our words, and all our work—reveal you. We pray in your name. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: Jesus gave us a better way to be close to God, not through animal sacrifices, but through his own perfect love and sacrifice. Because of Jesus, we can always come near to God.

• For Preschool-Lower Elementary
  • How do you feel knowing Jesus loves you so much that he gave himself for you?
  • If you could talk to God any time, what would you say to him today?
• For Upper Elementary-Middle School
  • Why do you think people had to keep offering sacrifices before Jesus came?
  • What does “a better hope” mean to you personally?
• For High School
  • Do you ever feel pressure to “earn” God’s forgiveness? How does the message of grace challenge that thinking?
  • In what ways can you draw near to God in your everyday life—at school, with friends, or during tough times?