In the old covenant, sacrifices were continually made for the same sinful people, day after day, year after year, so it showed the blood of bulls and goats were not transformative but representative. However, Jesus ended the old system as divinity became humanity and He gave his body on the cross to permanently transform the repentant heart (Ps. 40:6-8; Phil. 2:5-8). A priest continually stood as he presented sacrifices. But after Jesus’ sacrifice, he sat down at the right hand of God, providing full and final forgiveness for all time (Eph. 1:20, 21). His death sanctified (Gr. hagiazō, ‘make holy, pure’) the believer, making them positionally perfect (Gr. teleioō, ‘to finish/complete’) before God, though they are still in the process of being sanctified (2 Cor. 5:17; 1 Thess. 4:3). Believers are already holy, even as they are being made holy, as they strive to be holy!

Plans for the tabernacle as a travelling temple for worship and sacrifice were given by God to Moses with the Law (Ex. 25:8, 9). The structure was made of cloth, skins, and wood and measured 45x15x15 feet, in two sections. The first section (Holy Place) was 30x15 feet, having three gold items—the bread of the Presence table, lampstand/menorah, and altar of incense—representing aspects of fellowship with God. The second section (Most Holy Place) was 15x15 feet containing the Ark of the Covenant with the Mercy Seat (Gr. hilastērion, ‘atonement’) where God met man. The tabernacle was frail and temporary but Jesus is strong and eternal (Heb. 7:24)!

The writer of Hebrews argued that just as the physical lineage of Melchizedek wasn’t recorded to verify him to be a priest through Aaron—but that he was still a priest of God that Abraham honored regardless—the priesthood of Jesus was similar (Heb. 7:3). As Melchizedek wasn’t from the right people (Israel) yet was a priest for God, Jesus wasn’t from the right tribe (Judah) to be a priest, but was one based on the quality of who he was. Jesus was holy (Gr. hosios, ‘rightness/goodness before God’), innocent (Gr. akakos, ‘having done no wrong/bad’), unstained (Gr. amiantos, ‘pure without stain/blemish’), separate from sinners, and exalted above the heavens like only God is. The eternal quality of Jesus allows him to represent believers 24/7 by not needing a physical tabernacle to be set up or if a priest might die. The best high priest is a divine One! As a real man, Jesus could offer a sacrifice as a true high priest. Yet as real God, the priesthood of Jesus has different qualities than if he was just a real man. The incarnation allows Jesus to perfectly identify with the needs of humanity and the needs of divinity (Phil. 2:5-8).

About 1900 BC, Abraham returned from war after rescuing his nephew Lot, with a large amount of gold, silver, and other goods (Gen. 14:14-16). Nearing Salem (possibly ancient Jerusalem), Melchizedek, who was the ruler/priest there, met him with bread and wine-a sign of blessing and fellowship. Though Abraham was the one given God's promises, in recognition of Melchizedek's divine authority, he honored him by giving 10% of his wealth to God through him. Wealth is from God and is to be managed for God's glory not amassed for our own (Deut. 8:18; Prov. 3:9; 1 Tim. 6:17). His name means 'king of righteousness' (Heb. melek, 'king' tsdeq, 'righteous') and the city he ruled was Salem meaning 'peace' (Heb. shalem, 'peace'). Righteousness comes before peace, and as the king of righteousness, he was at peace and brought peace, just like Jesus (John 14:24). There is no peace in life without first being righteous before God. His priesthood was so authoritative, even Abraham, who was righteous by his own faith, submitted to him as his pastor. God puts pastors in people's lives to help them live for God (Heb. 13:17)!

Anchors were common in the Mediterranean and they allowed ships to remain secure while storms blew. The symbol of the anchor was an early Christian symbol of God's unfailing love in Christ through the storms of life (Matt. 7:24, 25). Followers of Jesus have certainty that if they retain a living faith, they can take refuge and anchor their soul in Him (John 15:1-11). Jesus, as a perfect high priest, went ahead as a forerunner (Gr. prodromos, 'one who goes ahead as a pioneer/scout to make a way for others') behind the curtain that separated sinful humans from a holy God in the temple. Jesus secured eternal life for all those who will hope in him!

Five realities: unsaved/know or don't know, unsaved/think they are saved, saved/believing in Jesus-guaranteed, saved/believing in Jesus-guaranteed but in unrepentant sin-loss of rewards (1 Cor. 3:14, 15; 5:5), saved/denied salvation-lost. Warnings of endurance and overcoming are the other side of the election and promise passages. Both are held in tension not contradiction. Believers demonstrate transformation and are secure in Christ, held in the power of God by grace through a person's living faith (John 10:28, 29; Eph. 1:4-9; 1 Pet. 1:5). YOU CAN'T LOSE YOUR SALVATION!

The office of the high priest throughout history was designed to be a man, chosen by God, who mediated between sinful people and a holy God (Gen. 14:18; Num. 3:10). As death eventually helps a person escape temporary punishment in sinning against other people, sinning against an eternal, infinite Being has never-ending results. Jesus' humanity allowed him to be a sacrifice temporarily, and Jesus' divinity allowed his sacrifice to cover sins eternally and infinitely (Ps. 103:11, 12; 2 Cor. 5:21). Forgiven sin by the God-man high priest, allows believers to have confidence (Gr. parrhesia, 'boldness/courage') to approach God without being destroyed. Through Jesus, the throne of death becomes the throne of grace!

Scripture is the standard (canon, 'rule') not only for believers in this life, but how everyone will be judged in the next (Matt. 12:36, 37; John 12:48-50). The word of God must be taught accurately, and understood correctly so it can be applied properly (Neh. 8:8; 1 Tim. 4:16). The church should be a people who love, learn, and live God's word! Words are a powerful extension of a person, and the word of Jesus is so spiritually sharp (Gr. tomōteros, 'cut by single stroke') it can discern motives, leaving the heart naked and exposed (Gr. tetrachēlismenos, 'to expose the neck for killing') to God's eyes (2 Tim. 3:16, 17). Exposure to God's word prevents truth decay!

After God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, they received His Laws at Mt. Sinai through Moses (Ex. 34:27, 28). As the nation's expert in the Law, he was considered the greatest prophet, being God's representative (Deut. 34:10). Before he died, Moses said God would send another prophet like him and when the people heard Jesus teach and perform miracles, they assumed he was that prophet (Deut. 18:15-19; Luke 7:16; John 6:14). Though no prophet or angel was greater than Moses-who God told His will to, face to face-Moses was just a servant of God in the house of Israel. However, Jesus was greater than Moses as he was the 'sent one' (Gr. apostolos) from the Father, being faithful as the Son of God over the house of all believers (John 3:16). Jesus' location of dwelling and relation to God make him greater than the greatest men. Believers are to consider (Gr. katanoeo, 'fix your attention to understand') Jesus as the height of God's revelation to humanity. A servant serves in the house, but a son owns the house!

At the incarnation of Jesus through Mary, God demoted himself to become man. In the mystery of God's will, Jesus had to become human to be the founder (Gr. archēgos, 'chief/originator/one who blazes a trail') of salvation, making the way for others to join God's family (Eph. 1:5). In humanity, Jesus could sympathize with humans in their struggle against temptation and sin. And in his death, he overcame suffering, sin, and Satan (John 12:31-33). The Greeks viewed their gods as far away and detached, but Christianity views God as family and devoted. No physical family can compare to the spiritual Father who loves us and the Brother who saves us!