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"He 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"
(Heb. 7: 27).
In seeking out the argument of this epistle the reader is called upon to exercise
continual watchfulness. We found that the consideration of the heavenly ministry of the
Lord was postponed in order that the question of His one Offering might be dealt with,
and now we shall find that the consideration of two features of that Offering mentioned in
7: 27 is deferred until the heavenly ministry has been more fully opened up.
No.38.
Boldness to enter (8: - 10:).
pp. 191 - 196
We have had before us some wonderful statements concerning the office of Christ as
the heavenly High Priest, and of His personal character, holy, harmless, undefiled and
separate from sinners. We must now continue the pursuit of this most important theme,
and note that the two features that await exposition are:
(1)
The fact that the Lord offered one Sacrifice once for all.
(2)
The fact that He offered, not bulls and goats, but that He offered up Himself.
One further item is necessary to complete the list of the distinctive features of the
Lord's High Priesthood, and that is:
The law and the oath.
"For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath,
which was since the law, maketh the Son, Who is consecrated for evermore
(PERFECTED unto the age)" (Heb. 7: 28).
There are two items here that demonstrate the superiority of the Priesthood of the Son.
They are:
(1)
The oath compared with the law as to immutability. The oath is more solemn, and its
immutability is indicated in Heb. 6: 17.
(2)
The oath and the law as to sequence. The oath was made "since the law", and what this
implies is explained in Heb. 7: 11:
"If therefore PERFECTION were by the Levitical priesthood . . . . . what further need was
there that another Priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the
order of Aaron?" (7: 11).
That question has now received its answer. Perfection could only come through the
Priest after the order of Melchisedec whose Priesthood is not after the law of a carnal
commandment, but after the power of an endless life. All truth, whether dispensational,
foundational or experimental, focuses upon the Person of the risen Christ. The whole