Study Desk

But in the Scripture above God said, "They will never enter my place of rest."

So the opportunity is still there for some to enter and enjoy God's rest. But those who first heard the good news about it did not enter, because they did not obey.

Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned.

He offers sacrifices for their sins, but he must also offer sacrifices for his own sins.

To be a high priest is an honor. But no one chooses himself for this work. That person must be chosen by God just as Aaron was.

It is the same with Christ. He did not choose himself to have the honor of becoming a high priest. But God chose him. God said to him, "You are my Son. Today I have become your Father."

Jesus was the Son of God, but he still suffered, and through his sufferings he learned to obey whatever God says.

We have many things to tell you about this. But it is hard to explain because you have stopped trying to understand.

You have had enough time that by now you should be teachers. But you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of God's teaching. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food.

But solid food is for people who have grown up. From their experience they have learned to see the difference between good and evil.

After people have left the way of Christ, can you make them change their lives again? I am talking about people who once learned the truth, received God's gift, and shared in the Holy Spirit. They were blessed to hear God's good message and see the great power of his new world. But then they left it all behind, and it is not possible to make them change again. That's because those who leave Christ are nailing him to the cross again, shaming him before everyone.

But other people are like land that grows only thorns and weeds. It is worthless and in danger of being cursed by God. It will be destroyed by fire.

Melchizedek was not even from the tribe of Levi, but Abraham gave him a tenth of what he had. And Melchizedek blessed Abraham—the one who had God's promises.

Those priests get a tenth, but they are only men who live and then die. But Melchizedek, who got a tenth from Abraham, continues to live, as the Scriptures say.

Now those from the family of Levi are the ones who get a tenth from the people. But we can say that when Abraham paid Melchizedek a tenth, then Levi also paid it.

Levi was not yet born, but he already existed in his ancestor Abraham when Melchizedek met him.

The people were given the law under the system of priests from the tribe of Levi. But no one could be made spiritually perfect through that system of priests. So there was a need for another priest to come. I mean a priest like Melchizedek, not Aaron.

He was made a priest, but not because he met the requirement of being born into the right family. He became a priest by the power of a life that will never end.

The Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. But now a better hope has been given to us. And with that hope we can come near to God.

But Christ became a priest with God's oath. God said to him, "The Lord has made a promise with an oath and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.'"