In Hebrews 7–13, Paul continued to emphasize the preeminent role of Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation, focusing particularly on the superiority of the Savior’s priesthood, atoning sacrifice, and ministry. Paul taught his readers that the ancient tabernacle and its Mosaic ordinances prefigured Christ’s sacrifice and that only through the shedding of His blood can we obtain remission of our sins and gain access to God’s presence. (Institute Manual)
In our previous lesson we learned that Jesus was higher than the Angels, and that He was also higher than Moses. It was important for these [mostly} Jewish Christians, who even at this time were beginning to waver, to be reminded of this.
Ancient and modern ordinances point to Jesus Christ
REVIEW Hebrews 7:7-9;11
-What do you learn about Melchizedek in these verses?
READ What does the JST teach us…in Additional Resources
Hebrews 7:1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 For this Melchizedek was ordained a priest after the order of the Son of God, which order was (JST) without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; and all those who are ordained to this priesthood are made like unto the Son of God; abiding a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
46 NT SS Lesson: Nov 6-12, Hebrews 7-13: “An High Priest of Good Things to Come”
REVIEW Hebrews 7:11-22
-What do these passages teaches about Jesus Christ and His order of the priesthood?
-Does perfection come under the Levitical (Aaronic) Priesthood?
-What is Christ’s order of the Priesthood?
-How does this priesthood offer a better hope?
READ How does this higher priesthood offer…in Add’l Res
READ What does “the Lord swear and will not repent mean…in Add’l Res
REVIEW Hebrews 7:19 [this page]; 8:6–13 [next page]
-Find ways in which the new covenant established by Jesus Christ was greater than the law of Moses and how the Melchizedek Priesthood was greater than the Aaronic Priesthood?
-Why is the Melchizedek Priesthood greater than the Aaronic Priesthood?
-How is Jesus Christ’s Atonement greater than the offerings made by priests of the Levitical Priesthood?
Even though we don’t offer animal sacrifices, we do participate in ordinances today that, in a similar way, point our souls to Christ and provide “authorized channels through which the blessings and powers of heaven can flow into our individual lives” (David A. Bednar, “Always Retain a Remission of Your Sins,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2016, 60).
VIEW sacrifice-and-sacrament? Time travel with Elder L. Tom Perry as he explains the correlation of sacrifice and the sacrament to his younger self. Hebrews 7-10
Hebrews 7:11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
13 For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.
14 For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
16 Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
-Using what you have learned from the book of Hebrews, what would you say to help the Church members in Paul’s time understand that the Savior’s sacrifice was greater than the temple offerings of the law of Moses? (Possible answers: The work of the Levitical priests was symbolic and could never bring about salvation; Jewish priests made offerings daily, while Christ’s sacrifice was made once for all and had infinite saving effect.)
READ What is the Doctrine of the Priesthood?...in Add’l Res
Exaltation is available to mankind through the intercession of Jesus Christ and the ordinances of the Melchizedek Priesthood.
READ Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
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.
-How could Paul’s teachings help the people understand the importance of the Savior’s mission.
-How do the teachings found in Hebrews 7:25–27 contribute to your understanding of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brought?
-How do these verses contribute to your gratitude for Christ or your testimony of Him?
-How have modern ordinances blessed us and helped point us to Jesus Christ?
-What can we do to make these ordinances more meaningful and focused on the Savior?
Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Faith requires trusting in God’s promises.
In chapter Paul encouraged Church members to hold fast to their faith, to “cast not away” their confidence in the Lord, and to have patience while waiting for the Lord’s promises to be fulfilled.
READ Hebrews 10:32-33
-What does it mean “after ye were illuminated?” 32
-What were the two reasons they were persecuted? 33
-What was a “gazingstock?” 33
READ It is apparent that some…in Add’l Res
READ Hebrews 10:34-39
READ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland ONE
-What are we counseled in verse 35 to not cast away? Why?
-Why are we sometimes tempted to cast away our confidence (see Hebrews 10:35) in the Lord and His gospel?
-What can we do to build and maintain faith and confidence to “receive [God’s] promise”? (Hebrews 10:36).
-What must we do before we receive the promise?
-Who is it that shall come? 37 Read the next verse:
READ Hebrews 9:11
-For now what must we live with? 10:38
-What happens if we draw back? 10:38
-Which group are we a part of? 10:39
Elder Holland once said if we could not believe, we could believe in him who does believe. Speaking more on faith,
READ Elder Jeffrey R. Holland TWO…in Add’l Res
VIEW Good things to Come about 4.5 min (part of GC talk)
To see the full conference talk (well worth it)
VIEW The full Conference talk about 19.5 min
Hebrews 10:32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
Hebrews 10:34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
LAST WORDS: I want to end with some words from Elder Holland who was the last speaker in the April 2016 General Conference. His talk, titled “Tomorrow the Lord will do wonderful things among you.” He was speaking about this great “High Priest of good things to come” whom we have been studying in this lesson. Elder Holland said:
“When there was a controversy in the early Church regarding who was entitled to heaven’s blessings and who wasn’t, the Lord declared to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Verily I say unto you, [the gifts of God] are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep … my commandments, and [for them] that seeketh so to do.” Boy, aren’t we all thankful for that added provision “and … seeketh so to do”! That has been a lifesaver because sometimes that is all we can offer! We take some solace in the fact that if God were to reward only the perfectly faithful, He wouldn’t have much of a distribution list.
“Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out like Alma, “O Jesus, … have mercy on me.” He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek.
“As you desire of me so it shall be done unto you,” the Lord has declared.
“… Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously. …
“… [Then] whatsoever you desire of me [in] righteousness, … you shall receive.”
“I love that doctrine! It says again and again that we are going to be blessed for our desire to do good, even as we actually strive to be so. And it reminds us that to qualify for those blessings, we must make certain we do not deny them to others: we are to deal justly, never unjustly, never unfairly; we are to walk humbly, never arrogantly, never pridefully; we are to judge righteously, never self-righteously, never unrighteously.”
I love these words of Elder Holland and the Savior. Jesus Christ truly is the “High Priest of good things to come,” and chief among these things is the restoration of His gospel. Elder Holland ends his remarks saying: “[His] is a plan predicated on the truth “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever. May He bless us to strive with patience and persistence toward the ideals we [have been taught]...., knowing that His divine love and unfailing help will be with us even when we struggle—no, will be with us especially when we struggle.”
Those are my wishes for all of us in the weeks that come. Stay healthy.
Greg
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
What does the JST teach us about Melchizedek?
Our knowledge of Melchizedek was substantially increased as Joseph Smith worked on inspired revisions in the OT. Genesis 14:18-20 reads:
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and
wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the
most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
To which Joseph added verses 25-40:
25 And Melchizedek lifted up his voice and blessed Abram.
26 Now Melchizedek was a man of faith, who wrought righteousness; and when a child he feared God, and stopped the mouths of lions, and quenched the violence of fire.
27 And thus, having been approved of God, he was ordained an high priest after the order of the covenant which God made with Enoch,
28 It being after the order of the Son of God; which order came, not by man, nor the will of man; neither by father nor mother; neither by beginning of days nor end of years; but of God;
29 And it was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.
30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
31 To put at defiance the armies of nations, to divide the earth, to break every band, to stand in the presence of God; to do all things according to his will, according to his command, subdue principalities
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and powers; and this by the will of the Son of God which was from before the foundation of the world.
32 And men having this faith, coming up unto this order of God, were translated and taken up into heaven.
33 And now, Melchizedek was a priest of this order; therefore he obtained peace in Salem, and was called the Prince of peace.
34 And his people wrought righteousness, and obtained heaven, and sought for the city of Enoch which God had before taken, separating it from the earth, having reserved it unto the latter days, or the end of the world;
35 And hath said, and sworn with an oath, that the heavens and the earth should come together; and the sons of God should be tried so as by fire.
36 And this Melchizedek, having thus established righteousness, was called the king of heaven by his people, or, in other words, the King of peace.
37 And he lifted up his voice, and he blessed Abram, being the high priest, and the keeper of the storehouse of God;
38 Him whom God had appointed to receive tithes for the poor.
39 Wherefore, Abram paid unto him tithes of all that he had, of all the riches which he possessed, which God had given him more than that which he had need.
40 And it came to pass, that God blessed Abram, and gave unto him riches, and honor, and lands for an everlasting possession; according to the covenant which he had made, and according to the blessing wherewith Melchizedek had blessed him. (LDS Scriptures, JST Genesis 14:25-40)
Also read Elder Bruce R. McConkie:
the-ten-blessings-of-the-priesthood
How does this higher priesthood offer more hope than the lesser? The JST highlights that perfection can only come through Jesus Christ “for the law [of Moses] was administered without an oath and made nothing perfect, but was only bringing in of a better hope; by the which we draw nigh unto God. Inasmuch as this high priest was not without an oath, by so much was Jesus made the surety of a better testament.” (JST) In other words, the Law of Moses and the Levitical Priesthood prepared Israel to come unto Christ, the “priest…after the order of Melchizedek. (Valletta, “NT Study Guide, 814)
What does “the Lord swear and will not repent mean. “God sware an oath that Christ should be a priest forever, that is through our Lord had possessed the priesthood in pre-existence, he would receive it anew in mortality would have it forever--in time and in eternity. And this sets the pattern for all who become sons of God and joint heirs with Christ. Every person upon whom the Melchizedek priesthood is conferred receives his office and calling in this higher priesthood with an oath and a covenant.” (McConkie, Doctrinal NT Commentary, 3:172) The Lord will always honor His part of the oath and covenant.
What is the Doctrine of the Priesthood? “This doctrine is that God our Father is a glorified, a perfected, and an exalted being who has all might, all power, and all dominion, who knows all things and is infinite in all his attributes, and who lives in the family unit.
It is that our Eternal Father enjoys this high status of glory and perfection and power because his faith is perfect and his priesthood is unlimited. It is that priesthood is the very name of the power of God, and that if we are to become like him, we must receive and exercise his priesthood or power as he exercises it.
It is that he has given us an endowment of heavenly power here on earth, which is after the order of his Son and which, because it is the power of God, is of necessity without beginning of days or end of years. It is that we can enter an order of the priesthood named the new and everlasting covenant of marriage (see D&C 131:2), named also the patriarchal order, because of which order we can create for ourselves eternal family units of our own, patterned after the family of God our Heavenly Father.
It is that we have power, by faith, to govern and control all things, both temporal and spiritual; to work miracles and perfect lives; to stand in the presence of God and be like him because we have gained his faith, his perfections, and his power, or in other words the fulness of his priesthood.
This, then, is the doctrine of the priesthood, that which there neither is nor can be anything greater. This is the power we can gain through faith and righteousness.
Truly, there is power in the priesthood—power to do all things!
If the world itself was created by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can move mountains and control the elements. If one-third of the hosts of heaven were cast down to earth by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can put at defiance the armies of nations or stay the fall of atomic bombs.
If all men shall be raised from mortality to immortality by the power of the priesthood, surely that same power can cure the diseased and the dying and raise the dead. Truly there is power in the priesthood—a power which we seek to acquire to use, a power which we devoutly pray may rest upon us and upon our posterity forever.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
(Elder Bruce R. McConkie, “The Doctrine of the Priesthood, “ April 1982 GC)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland ONE Speaking at GC Elder Holland explained how we can win the fight against afflictions that often try our faith moments after we have been spiritually enlightened or illuminated. “Post illumination affliction can come in many ways, and it can come to all of us. Surely every missionary who has ever served soon realized that life in the field wasn’t going to be quite like the rarified environment as the missionary training center. So too, for all of us upon leaving a sweet session in the temple or concluding a particularly spiritual Sacrament meeting.
“....If in the days ahead you not only see limitations in those around you, but also find elements in your own life that don’t yet measure up….please don’t be cast down in spirit and don’t give up. The gospel, the church, semi-annual conference are intended to give hope and inspiration. They are not intended to discourage you. Only the adversary, the enemy of us all, would try to convince us that the ideals outlined in [your meetings] are depressing and unrealistic, that people don’t really improve, that no one who really progresses. And why does Lucifer give that speech? Because he can’t improve, he can’t progress, that worlds without ends he will never have a bright tomorrow. He is a miserable man bound by eternal limitations, and he you to be miserable too. Well don’t fail for that. With the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the strength of heaven to help us, we can improve, and the great thing about the gospel is we get credit for trying, even if we don’t always succeed.” (“Tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” 124-25)
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland TWO “A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, ‘Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.’ I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for ‘only believing.’ I told him that Christ Himself said, ‘Be not afraid, only believe’ [Mark 5:36]. … I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase ‘We believe’ [see Articles of Faith 1:1–13]” (“Lord, I Believe,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 94).
“It is apparent that some, as soon as they joined the church, became a public spectacle, or ‘gazing stock,’ through public harassment. No full scale persecution was initiated against Christians in the Roman Empire until A.D. 257 under the emperor Valerian. Before this time, all Roman persecution, as well as Jewish, were limited to certain localities.” (Brown, “Whither the Early Church,” 279-80”l