The Power of an Endless Life - Hebrews 7:14-16
There is a stark difference and contrast between the law of man, which is temporal in nature, and the power of an endless life, which is eternal in nature.
7:16 "Who is made," - gegonen - Pf Act Ind - not after the law of a carnal commandment,- sarkikhV
Christ was not consecrated after that human and temporal rules which bound the priesthood of Aaron, which could not bring forth life to the soul of men. The priesthood of Moses and its ceremonies were fleshly and external in nature. Every regulation that governed the old priesthood had to do with the priest's physical body. To be a priest he must be a pure descendant of Aaron. There were 142 physical blemishes which might disqualify him (Lev 21:16-23).
(Lev 8) He was bathed in water to be ceremonially clean. He was clothed in the four priestly garments (Ex. 39:1-43 40:13-15,31,32): linen knee breeches, a long linen garment woven in one piece, the girdle round the breast, and the bonnet or turban. He was anointed with oil. He was touched on the tip of the right ear, his right thumb and his right great toe with the blood of sacrifices.
Every item in the ceremony affected the priest's body. Once ordained he was may times washed with water and oil. He cut his hair in a certain way. From beginning to end the Jewish priesthood was dependent on physical things. Character, ability, personality had nothing to do with it. The priest’s value was the physical appearance, actions, and his position.
"but after the power of an endless life." - dunamin zwhV akataloutou - Indissoluble, indestructible
In contrast to the physical and temporary nature of the earthly priest, is the spiritual and eternal nature of Christ’s priesthood.
Which is dependent upon who He is in Himself. This was a complete change, for it was no longer outward ceremonies and observances that made a priest, but inward worth.
All priests must belong to the tribe of Levi and descendants of Aaron. Jesus was of the tribe of Judah. Jesus’ position was High Priest meant that the law was cancelled, disannulled: aqethsiV was used to describe a cancellation of a treaty, crossing someone’s man's name off the register, for making a law or regulation inoperative. The whole of the ceremonial law was wiped out in the priesthood of Jesus.
Finally, Jesus’ priesthood did what the old priesthood never could do. He gave direct access to God. What is it that keeps a man from having access to God? (Sin). What is the difference between the old and new priesthood? The power of an endless life.
Notice the word after (kata) in verse 16. It is used 2 times. In the first instance, not after the law of a carnal commandment.., and the second time, but after the power of an endless life. The results of each priesthood are based upon a certain result and effect the person who worships in a different way.
The priesthood of Christ is based upon the power of His endless and produces essential elements produced in the life of the believer.
What Christ’s Priesthood Involves
A Perfect of sacrifice, 7:11, 19
A complete change from the old priesthood, 7:12
A different tribe (Judah), 7:13-14
An endless life and ministry, 7:16-17, 23
A bringing in of a better hope, 7:19
We can now personally draw near to God, 7:19
A priesthood based upon the oath of God Himself, 7:20-21
A surety of a better testament, 7:22-23
He continues forever, 7:24
An unchangeable priesthood, 7:24
He is able to saved to the uttermost, 7:25
He ever lives to make intercession for them, 7:25
What Christ’s Priesthood Means to His People
His endless life is necessary for the sacrifice of Himself to be infinite and perfect.
Heb 7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb 9:12-14,16 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?...For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.
John 1:29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
1John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
His Endless Life Is the Guarantee That He Is Able to Fulfill His Promise of Our Being Saved Completely and Forever.
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rom. 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
1John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
His Endless Life Is Given as a Gift of Salvation to Those Who Believe.
John 3:15,16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life...
1Tim. 1:15,16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
His Endless Life and Priesthood Provides Absolute Admittance into God’s Presence.
Heb 10:19-23 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.