For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. Hebrews 7:12-14 KJV
We began with this same verse last week and it is relevant to the study we will engage in now. We recognized that the Law of Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood for those of the tribe of Judah. Yet Christ is from Judah and he is spoken of as our High Priest. How can this be? The writer of Hebrews tells us that the only way that this can be is if the Law was changed! Don’t believe me? Read it again, “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.” Since Jesus is our High Priest, we know that the Law has changed!
There is much concern over the posting of the Ten Commandments in public places. Some say that it doesn’t matter, others fight for its presence. I personally like for our nation to recognize God, but we should realize that Christians aren’t subject to the Ten Commandments! “What?” You say, “Not under the Ten Commandments?” Well, you read it for yourself. The Law has been changed. If this were not so, how could Jesus be our High Priest? If the Law is changed, we are not under the Law that was, but under the Law that is. Read Hebrews 8:8-9: “…he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.”
Notice the Lord speaks of making a New Covenant. In verse 13, the writer of Hebrews further explains: “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.” A New Covenant, then was established, and the Old (including the Ten Commandments) was taken away! Colossians 2:14 tells us that Jesus took the “handwriting of ordinances” out of our way. Ordinances, of course, means laws. How was the Law of Moses given? Exodus 31:18 tells us that it was given to Moses by God and written with his finger. That sounds like handwriting to me—doesn’t it to you?
So, we can kill, steal, and commit adultery? No, of course not. We are not under the Law of Moses, but we are under the Law of Christ and Christ tells us not to kill—or even to be angry without cause (Matthew 5:21-22). His Law tells us not to steal—but to work that we might help others (Ephesians 4:28). He tells us not to commit adultery— nor even to allow ourselves to lust (Matthew 5:27-28).
But didn’t Jesus say that not one mark (jot nor tittle) of the Law would pass away until all be fulfilled? Yes he did. That is found in Matthew 5:18. But in Matthew 5:17, he said that he had come to fulfill the Law. And he did. The Law of Moses was intended to prepare the world for the coming of Christ: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Galatians 3:24 But Christ has come, and fulfilled the Law of Moses, allowing it to pass away and be replaced with the Law of Christ: “But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” Galatians 3:25
We are no longer under a schoolmaster. Christ fulfilled Moses’ Law and established in its place the Perfect Law of Liberty (James 1:25). Let us then look to Moses’ Law for learning (Romans 15:4), but to Christ’s Law for the rule of our lives (John 14:15).
Until next time, let me encourage you to search the scriptures daily, whether these things are so. Acts 17:11
May God bless you in your study of his Word.
Copyright 2006 Mance J. Davis Jr.
