Hebrews 7:18-28 18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.

20 And it was not without an oath 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn     and will not change his mind:     ‘You are a priest forever.’” 22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

26 Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 

28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”

“The former regulation is… weak and useless… and a better hope is introduced”

Is Jesus an after-thought? Did God make a mistake? Did God change His mind? Is Jesus an after-thought?

“For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.” Heb 8:7 “By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.” Heb 8:13

4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ Exodus 19:4-6a

“For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.   But God found fault with the people and said:

“…I will make a new covenant with the people… 9 It will not be like the covenant     I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand     to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,     and I turned away from them, declares the Lord.”” Heb 8:7-9

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Rom 3:20

Jewish Cultural Norm Old Covenant

Melchizedek

High priest forever New Covenant

“…Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn     and will not change his mind:     ‘You are a priest forever.’” Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.” Heb 8:20b-22

Sinner Earthly tabernacle Once a year Goats and calves Temporary

“But when Christ came as high priest…He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls … sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ… cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death”

  “Nor did he (Jesus) enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own... But he (Jesus) has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself.” Hebrews 9:11-26

Better hope Cleansed conscience Eternal redemption Complete salvation New Covenant Old Covenant

Jesus is NOT an after-thought

“And I will put enmity     between you and the woman,     and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head,     and you will strike his heel.” Gen 3:15

“…through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” Heb 2:14

Summary God did not make a mistake Law- promise between God and His people Law- helps people realize their sin 2. God did not change his mind Jesus is NOT an after-thought

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law…” Gal 4:4-5

God is working out of the box!

UN-BOX God