Study Desk

For this reason Jesus had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every way so he could be their merciful and faithful high priest in service to God. Then Jesus could die in their place to take away their sins.

And to whom was God talking when he promised that they would never enter his rest? He was talking to those who did not obey him.

Now, since God has left us the promise that we may enter his rest, let us be very careful so none of you will fail to enter.

In the Scriptures he talked about the seventh day of the week: "And on the seventh day God rested from all his works."

Anyone who enters God's rest will rest from his work as God did.

Because he is weak, the high priest must offer sacrifices for his own sins and also for the sins of the people.

While Jesus lived on earth, he prayed to God and asked God for help. He prayed with loud cries and tears to the One who could save him from death, and his prayer was heard because he trusted God.

And because his obedience was perfect, he was able to give eternal salvation to all who obey him.

They found out how good God's word is, and they received the powers of his new world.

God is fair; he will not forget the work you did and the love you showed for him by helping his people. And he will remember that you are still helping them.

God wanted to prove that his promise was true to those who would get what he promised. And he wanted them to understand clearly that his purposes never change, so he made an oath.

Levi was not yet born, but he was in the body of his ancestor when Melchizedek met Abraham.

He was not made a priest by human rules and laws but through the power of his life, which continues forever.

but Christ became a priest with God's oath. God said: "The Lord has made a promise and will not change his mind. ‘You are a priest forever.'" Psalm 110:4

This means that Jesus is the guarantee of a better agreement from God to his people.

He is not like the other priests who had to offer sacrifices every day, first for their own sins, and then for the sins of the people. Christ offered his sacrifice only once and for all time when he offered himself.

But the priestly work that has been given to Jesus is much greater than the work that was given to the other priests. In the same way, the new agreement that Jesus brought from God to his people is much greater than the old one. And the new agreement is based on promises of better things.

But God found something wrong with his people. He says: "Look, the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new agreement with the people of Israel and the people of Judah.

Christ entered the Most Holy Place only once—and for all time. He did not take with him the blood of goats and calves. His sacrifice was his own blood, and by it he set us free from sin forever.

How much more is done by the blood of Christ. He offered himself through the eternal Spirit as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will make our consciences pure from useless acts so we may serve the living God.