Hope Through Access

“But on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19)
 
It is far too easy in the life of a Christian to do something and have no idea why we are doing it. Things get over complicated. As a church we just concluded Lent. Probably the busiest time of the Christian calendar. Schedules are packed full with a “Maundy Thursday” service, “Good Friday,” community outreach and last but not least Easter Sunday. (Not to mention small groups and prayer meetings.  We corporately take time to observe disciplines, like communion, fasting and fellowship. There is a lot going on!
 
Right after encouraging the readers to “leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (6:1), the author of Hebrews brings up Melchizedek again, after already doing so just a couple of chapters prior. Why is he going back to it? Why does this mysterious person need to be talked about again? Afterall in the entire Old Testament, all this king got was a few verses from a narrative in Genesis and a mention in a Psalm of David. After that, centuries go by without another word about him!
 
On the other hand, the scriptures tell us a lot about Abraham. He’s the patriarch of God’s chosen people, followed God faithfully and his descendants would go on to be a great nation. But the text tells he was inferior to Melchizedek (7:8). When Abraham crossed paths with him, he gave him “a tenth of the spoils.” (7:4).  Abraham tithed before the instructions on tithing to the Levitical priests even happened. Before Levitical priests even had the chance to descend from Abraham himself.
 
Melchizedek was given the role as a priest. He was a representative from man to the one true God, the same God Abraham had worshipped. He wasn’t born into this position like all the other Old Testament priests (7:6). But because of his righteousness, he was qualified. God has appointed him to this position (5:5). He was an Old Testament picture of what was yet to come in Christ.
 
This was a big deal to the people of Israel! The priests had the most important responsibility of the entire law. They were representatives of the people to God. They made sacrifices to God on their behalf.  Without the priests there would be no atonement for sins. Without atonement there is no hope. There is no hope, because there is no access to God. Since the very beginning, way back in Genesis, God had made this truth very clear: men need representation to access God, as a result of sin. Yet even with that representation a change had to be made. A change in priesthood and the law was coming, because despite all their effort perfection was still not attainable (7:11).
 
Obeying the commands of God written on stone tablets was expected in Exodus. Following kosher rules and regulations throughout the Pentateuch was very important to their faith. Observing the feasts and worshipping God was essential to Israel’s obedience. And throughout the rest of the Old Testament, it becomes very clear to Israel how serious God is about dealing with sin. All the “stuff” they did was important, but without atonement and representation it would not matter. There sin was still there. The people of Israel would end up suffering in exile and losing everything, because of the consequences of their sin. They may have continued attempting to serve God through rules and laws, but they had forgotten why they had done it. “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13)
 
Jesus is a greater Melchizedek. He is a greater representative to God on our behalf. He offers a greater sacrifice. But for what purpose?
 
“For on the one hand, a former commandment is set aside because of its weakness and uselessness (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduces, through which we draw near to God.” (7:18-19)
 
The author of Hebrews meant for this information to be jaw dropping to his ancient Hebrew audience. Abraham, the father of Judaism, paid tithes to Melchizedek. He was greater than Abraham, and Jesus, who they are now learning about, is far greater than Melchizedek! What makes Him so much better? Because he offers “better hope” and an opportunity to “draw near to God.”
 
Don’t lose sight of the purpose. Christ did not step down from heaven so we can be busy. He did not offer himself as a sacrifice for sin so that we could continue to walk in our sinful ways. The author of Hebrews spends a lot of time establishing Christ as our perfect and final priest for a purpose. The purpose is not to feed us with empty knowledge and make us experts in Christological thoughts. Understanding Jesus’ role as a priest is about hope and being close to Jesus. (7:19)
 
We have eternal hope in the fact that through the sacrifice of Christ we have access to God! No matter what you are going through right now, we have a priest that “always lives to make intercession.” (7:25). Yes! Jesus is interceding for you now! Whatever physical pain you are going through, He is interceding. Whatever sickness you are suffering, He is interceding. Whatever sin you are battling, He is interceding! Whatever emotional turmoil you are feeling, He is interceding. And because He is interceding, you have hope. A hope that can be found nowhere else.
 
So be encouraged. Draw near to God! Through Christ we have access, and through access we have hope. He is the “guarantor of a better covenant.” (7:22). Don’t lose sight of what you are doing and why you are doing it. He is the prize! He is the reward! He is our hope! Go to Him in His word, rely on Him in prayer, surround yourself in the fellowship of His people.  Allow Him to pour on you the everlasting fountain of grace in His presence. Rest in the hope we have in our access to God our Father.