City Life Starter

Written by Efe Abbe

The Word

¹⁵ This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, ¹⁶ who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life.¹⁷ For it is witnessed of him,

“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.”

¹⁸ For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness ¹⁹ (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.

Hebrews 7:15-19 ESV

You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭48‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Reflection

Today, we are still on our author’s case for the necessity and supremacy of Jesus’ priesthood over the Levitical priesthood.

The “this” in v. 15 that becomes evident is the need for a new priesthood because of the Levitical priesthood’s inability to make people perfect (v. 11-12). The Greek word for “perfection” in v. 11 τελειωσις (teleiosis) can also be translated as “fulfillment” or “completion”; the same goes for “perfect” ετελειωσεν (eteleiosen) in v.19.

This new priest must be able to make us perfect or complete before God. This new priest also cannot be subject to the same sin-death problem as the sons of Levi were. He would need to live forever to permanently represent humanity before God – just like Melchizedek. This new priest is Jesus and is our “better hope… through which we draw near to God” (v. 19).

The audience of this sermon is being exhorted to not abandon their faith in Jesus, because returning to the Law meant going back to legal requirements that had to be set aside because they were “weak and useless…[and] never made anything perfect” (v. 18-19 NLT).

Application

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He told His listeners: “You therefore must be perfect “τέλειοι (teleioi/complete)”, as your heavenly Father is perfect “τέλειός (teleios/complete)” (Matthew 5:48). He said this alongside His call to a greater standard of living in the Kingdom in the Beatitudes and the “you have heard it said” teachings on anger, lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and loving our enemies. He also pointed out that His call to teleios was the fulfillment/completion of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20).

Our dilemma is that under the Law, because of sin, this standard is impossible for us to meet unless something changes. Thank God that He made a change through Jesus! This is the hope of the gospel: Jesus died and now lives forever as our King and Priest to do what the Law could not – He alone makes us completely perfect before God.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for making me perfect, whole, and complete. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy – the reasons that You have lovingly met Your standard of perfection and holiness for me. Please renew my mind and empower me to live daily in what You have already done, amen.