You are a priest forever
So the previous command is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. None of this happened without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but he became a priest with an oath made by the one who said to him: The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever.” Hebrews 7:18-21 CSB
Continuing on with the main point of this overall section that the new priesthood being established by the Lord, with Jesus Christ as the High Priest, is superior to the previous one of the Law, the author makes three observations of the previous Law: “weak,” “unprofitable,” and “annulled.” The Law’s function was the measuring stick to which an individual could compare their moral condition to, but there lies the weakness of it: it could not provide spiritual life to the person. This did not mean that the Law was completely useless. It served the function of revealing sin within the person’s life. But, knowing what’s wrong and actually taking the action to change that is what was lacking, “unprofitable,” in the Law, and therefore, was annulled. Yet, “a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” Through Christ, being the High Priest, we are able to be drawn to God, access Him, and be transformed within ourselves. Then, in verse 20, to add validation to God’s plan for redemption, God made an oath. We saw this previously in Hebrews 6:16-20, where God fulfilled His oath to Abraham. The priestly line of Aaron was established through the Law and was kept through sheer obedience. What differentiates Christ’s priesthood is that it was established by God with an oath, citing Psalm 110:4 again in verse 21. “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever.’” To contend against Christ’s position and superiority in this new established priesthood is to contend against God Himself who established this planned order centuries before Christ was born. The Law, although useful in nature to show us our sinful nature, pales in comparison to Christ, who not only shows our need for a Savior, but He is the provision of salvation for us and that will transform us. The hope of every believer is anchored in Christ. It is by believing the gospel of Jesus Christ that provided forgiveness of sin, salvation, new life, and eternal life. This is why we have a better hope when we place our faith in Christ and not in the law that “perfected nothing.”
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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