Hebrews 7:11-28
Q.1. Why was the change of priesthood from Levi to Melchizedek needed? How did Jesus qualify for this endless and indestructible priesthood? (Heb.7:11-17)
A priest from Levi’s line could – … deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness (Heb.5:2). However, they were all sinners needing sacrifices, and were all subject to the death penalty. That is why a more perfect priesthood was needed. How, then, did Jesus from the tribe of Judah qualify as a priest? This priesthood was not under the Mosaic regulations since it predated the Law. Jesus did not just inherit the priestly role but earned it – 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Heb.7:16-17 c.f. Acts 2:24).
Q.2. How did an oath guarantee Christ’s priesthood? What improved benefits flow from Christ’s connection to Melchizedek?  (Heb.7:18-25)
God never needs to make an oath. Yet He deferred to frail people – 17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the changelessness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us (Heb.6:17-18). Thus we are reminded – 21 … The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, `You are a priest forever’; 22 so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant (Heb.7:21-22). That is so because He ever lives to make intercession for us. Only He – holds His priesthood permanently … therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb.7:24-25). The Old Testament priesthood system was demanding and time-consuming. We can come before the Throne of Grace at any time.
Q.3. What strikes you about the superiority of Jesus in ministering as our Priest before the Father? (Heb.7:26-28)
Not only is Jesus perfect and in need of no mediation, He has also triumphed over sin and death – For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens (Heb.7:26). Only Jesus has these qualifications as a permanent priest. Only Jesus could make the complete sacrifice – who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself (Heb.7:27).