Our Unchanging High Priest Hebrews 7:20-28 Lesson 11 In nature, there is an animal known as a chameleon. It is a lizard type creature that is known as the master of disguise. It is able to constantly change colors and blend in with its surroundings. While being able to constantly change is a handy trick for a chameleon, it is not a quality that we particularly admire on the human scale. We like consistency, dependability, steadiness and reliability. As we will learn this week, there is only One Jesus Christ, who exemplifies these qualities. In the Levitical system, there was not a swearing-in ceremony for priests. One became a high priest by being born into the tribe of Levi and in the direct line of Aaron. The priests in the Old Testament eventually died and had to be replaced, causing the priesthood to constantly change. But, this was not so for Jesus. His priesthood was established on the basis of His work on the cross, His character and the oath of God. And furthermore, His priesthood was unchangeable and lasted forever (v. 24). Talk about dependability! Our scripture this week speaks of Jesus as our unchanging High Priest. There isn t anyone, nor will there ever be anyone who compares to Him! Isn t it wonderful to know that, no matter how much our world may change or whatever changes we may experience in our personal lives, there is One who is totally reliable and will always remain the same? And, as if that isn t enough, He makes intercession (v. 25) for us. The word intercession means to make petition. Jesus Christ sits at the right hand of the Father and He asks God for things on your behalf. No wonder we can call Him our great High Priest! The fact that God loves us so much should cause us to return that same love to the ever changing and dying world that we live in. May they see the love of God in us through all that we do and say in the week ahead. 1
Open your Bible and begin with a word of prayer This Week s Scripture: Hebrews 7:20-28 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: The Lord has sworn And will not relent, You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek ), 22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant. 23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. NKJV This Week s Memory Verse: Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25 1. This week, we are going to focus on our unchanging High Priest who is none other than Jesus Christ Himself. What does Hebrews 13:8 tell us about our unchanging Savior? 2. Let us now focus on exactly what is unchanging about our Savior. Love, mercy, grace and justice are a few of those unchanging attributes. These attributes should affect our daily walk when applied to our lives. What do the following verses tell us about these four characteristics? a. His love 1 John 4:7-8: How does knowing that His love is unchanging affect you personally? 2
b. His mercy Titus 3:4-7: How does knowing that His mercy is unchanging affect you personally? c. His grace Ephesians 2:8-9: How does knowing that His grace is unchanging affect you personally? d. His justice Romans 3:23-26 (see NLT version if available): How does knowing that His justice is unchanging affect you personally? e. Has your life been changed by knowing that God is unchanging in our ever changing world? Which of the above passages comforts you the most and why? 3
God is not affected by our mutability; our changes do not alter him. When we are restless, he remains serene and calm; when we are low, selfish, mean, or dispirited, he is still the unalterable I Am. The same yesterday, today, and forever, in whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. What God is in himself, not what we may chance to feel him in this or that moment to be, that is our hope. 3. Our memory verse for this week tells us that He always lives to make intercession for them (sinners). Read Romans 8:26-28 and answer the following questions. a. Who helps us with our weaknesses and prayer lives and how? (v. 26) b. Who searches the heart and what is accomplished? (v. 27) c. What is the end result? (v. 28) d. What is the criterion to receive this result? (v. 28) 4. The last verse in our scripture this week speaks of the perfection of Jesus Christ. Read Psalm 19:7-9 (NKJV) and fill in the blanks. a. The law of the Lord is, converting the ; b. The Testimony of the Lord is, making wise the ; c. The statutes of the Lord are, rejoicing the : d. The commandment of the Lord is, enlightening the e. The fear of the Lord is, enduring ; f. The judgement of the Lord are and altogether. g. Perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and enduring these are all encouraging qualities of our Lord we can grab hold of during the difficult times in our lives. How about you? When you are overwhelmed, is Jesus your Rock? He alone is worthy and unchanging. He alone is able to shine light on even the darkest of times. Use the next page to write your thoughts. Frederick William Robertson (1816 1853) 4
Reflect What has touched your heart during this week s study? Respond How has this study encouraged your spiritual growth? Result In what practical ways can you apply what you have learned this week? 5
Thoughts & Prayers 6