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Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham.
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Jesus Like Melchizedek
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?
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For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.
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(for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
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For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
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If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law.
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This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
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When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people.
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In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
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Christ’s Sacrifice Once for All
The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.
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First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them”—though they were offered in accordance with the law.
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“This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
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Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”
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Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
