Perfection, or complete salvation, comes through Christ alone!
The writer of Hebrews continued to explain how much better Christ’s priesthood was than the priesthood of the Levites – “Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’ For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7: 11-19)
From MacArthur’s Bible Commentary – regarding the word ‘perfection’ – “Throughout Hebrews, the term refers to complete reconciliation with God and unhindered access to God – salvation. The Levitical system and its priesthood could not save anyone from their sins. Since Christ is the Christian’s high priest and he was of the tribe of Judah, not Levi, his priesthood is clearly beyond the law, which was the authority for the Levitical priesthood. This is the proof that the Mosaic law had been abrogated. The Levitical system was replaced by a new Priest, offering a new sacrifice, under a New Covenant. He abrogated the law by fulfilling it and providing the perfection that the law could never accomplish.” (MacArthur 1858)
MacArthur further explains – “The law dealt only with the temporal existence of Israel. The forgiveness that could be obtained even on the Day of Atonement was temporary. Those who ministered as priests under the law were mortals receiving their office by heredity. The Levitical system was dominated by matters of physical existence and transitory ceremonialism. Because He is the eternal Second Person of the Godhead, Christ’s priesthood cannot end. He obtained his priesthood, not by virtue of the law, but by virtue of his deity.” (MacArthur 1858)
The law saved no one. Romans teaches us – “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” (Romans 3: 19-20) The law curses everyone. We learn from Galatians – “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.’ But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for ‘the just shall live by faith.’ Yet the law is not of faith, but ‘the man who does them shall live by them.’ Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.’” (Galatians 3: 10-13)
Jesus was cursed for us, so we don’t need to be.
REFERENCES:
MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway, 2010.
