“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron.”

The writer now entertains us with the reason for a change in the priesthood and law. One of the first things to grasp is the idea of perfection. Without knowing what is meant exactly, we sense that something was not right about the Levitical priesthood that needed changing. Another thing we should grasp is that the law came from the priesthood rather than the other way around.

If perfection came through the order of Aaron, then the Aaronic priesthood would have continued until this present time. God ended that priesthood and switched to a priesthood more like the Melchizedekian one. Moving from the priestly tribe to the royal tribe, God made a king the priest, just like Melchizedek was a king and a priest. The Melchizedekian like priest brings perfection to the people through a perfect priesthood, which has a perfect sacrifice. Both the high priest and the sacrifice are perfect, thus bringing perfection to the Israel of God.

Keep in mind where this is going. If the law came through the priesthood and the priesthood is changed, then what happens to the law?

Task for Today: Shout hallelujah that your high priest is perfect. Praise God that His law is perfect. Thank heaven that the sacrifice taken into the most holy place by your priest is also perfect. Because of these perfects, you can be perfect in Christ.