Friday, March 11, 2016

The Vision (3.11.16): Christ Greater Than Levi


Image:  One of the "Caiphas" ossuaries, discovered in a  cave in Jerusalem in 1990, which some claim to be related to the ancient priestly family mentioned in the NT.  Israel Museum, Jerusalem.


Note:  Here are some notes drawn from the closing application to last Sunday morning’s sermon on Hebrews 7:5-17:

Hebrews 7:5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

The greatness of Christ or the superiority of Christ is a constant theme seen throughout Hebrews.

We have seen stress upon Christ greater than prophets (Heb 1:1-2), greater than angels (Heb 1:4), greater than Moses (Heb 3:3-6).  Here we have the repetition of a theme that has already appeared (Heb 5:1-10):  Christ greater than the priests, greater than Levi, greater than Aaron, greater than their priesthood, because theirs had been an imperfect priesthood (Heb 4:15).

We might also add that it is affirmed here that Christ is greater also than Father Abraham.

The pastoral call here to wayward Hebrew believers who were tempted to abandon Christ and return to the synagogue:  Do not go back to your old religion!  Do not go back to your slavish ways!  Do not go back to the temple!  Do not go back to the sacrifices!  A superior way is here.

How do we apply this to ourselves?  We might be tempted to go back to our old carnal ways, our BC (before Christ) ways, our old spiritual patterns.  To trade faith in Christ for our old religion would be like trading a bar of gold for a pile of ashes.  Do not make a fool’s bargain.  Christ is greater than your Levi!


Grace and peace, Pastor Jeff Riddle

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