Do You Transition?

Read Hebrews 7:11-28
Title in NIV: Superiority of Jesus’ priesthood

These verses are all about how the old covenant (testament) transitioned into the new oath (testament).

(Old) The old law could not attain perfection. (New)The new oath could attain perfection through Jesus Christ.

(Old) If the old law was enough, why did the old prophets predict another priest to come?

(Old) The old was in the order of Aaron. Blood sacrifices over and over. And, priest die. (New) The new saved completely. Jesus sacrificed once for all. He was permanent and never dies.

(Old) Priests descended from Levites. (New) Jesus descended from Judah. This line had Abraham, Isaac, Rahab the prostitute, King David, Joseph (Matthew 1:1-17).

(Old) Priest were selected by regulation. (New) Jesus is priest because of his indestructible life.

(Old) The law was weak and useless. Made us conscience of sin (Romans 3:20). Law makes nothing perfect. The law was put in charge to lead us to Christ (Gal 3:24). (New) Jesus brought a better hope. Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant. We are made perfect through his blood.

(Old) Temporary. (New) Permanent

(Old) Priest need to sacrifice for himself before he sacrificed for the people. (New) Jesus is holy, blameless, pure, set apart, exalted, gave himself once for all.

(Old) Law appointed men who are weak. (New) Oath appoints the Son who is perfect.

How hard it must have been to transition from the law they grew up learning to love and faith in Jesus Christ. Life is all about how we transition and change.

Can you imagine the people using some of the sayings we use today back then? For example, I can hear someone saying, “Oh that Jesus is just trying to appease people to get people to follow him.” Or “Jesus just tries to entertain.” Or “He uses unbelievable events to draw people to him.” Or “He does not follow the rules.”

Why did they have to change when Jesus came? Circumcision was changed to baptism (both are the outward expression that one follows Christ); Going to the temple to worship became me and you becoming the temple God lives in; slavery to freedom; following 600+ rules became acting in love; giving blood sacrifices became being a living sacrifice.

There are only two laws for us to follow. The two greatest commandments in Matthew 22:37-40 are 1)”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” 2)”Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hangs on these two commandments.” The way others show love, act in love, move in love, show mercy in love may be different for everyone. Judge only thyself. Let God judge motives.

How have you transitioned over the years to move in-step with God and Jesus Christ? How do you see others who have transitioned beyond your comfort level? How do you see others who have fallen behind when it comes to transitioning to loving one another?
I have deep concern for people who have not transitioned beyond themselves. Sadly this stagnant attitude is all around us. I see it everyday. I pray for growth everyday. I pray for eyes to be opened everyday.

I hold in high regard the people who I see helping the unfortunate. The ones who stretch themselves beyond their comfort zone to benefit others are ones who I look up to.

I have more to say about transitioning. I began another blog for my “Heart” thoughts. You can read them at www.heartpoursforth.blogspot.com