Tag: Hebrews 7
The Eternal High Priest
Scripture reading for October 22: Hebrews 7
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but He holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever. Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a High Priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for the sins of the people, since He did this once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priest, but the Word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son Who has been made perfect forever.” Hebrews 7:23-28
Most of us are not Jews and have not lived under the law and priesthood. The Bible records the story of the priesthood and the position of high priest in the Bible. Aaron, the brother of Moses and a Levite was appointed by God as the first high priest. God appointed the priesthood as an aid to His people in having a relationship with Him and as a way that He could dwell with His people. There were many high priests as they were also sinners and suffered death. As they offered sacrifices for the people, they also sacrificed for their own sins as well. In their weakness, they had to make sacrifices year after year.
But Jesus was not a Levite, but was of the tribe of Judah. He was the Son of God and humbled Himself to come identify with lost sinners by becoming a man. He suffered temptations as we did, but was without sin. According to God’s loving plan, He offered His own body and blood as the final, once for all, sacrifice to God on behalf of sinners. God declared on an oath, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, ‘You are a Priest forever.'” (Psalm 110:4)(Hebrews 7:17,21) Jesus is the perfect High Priest, as He lives eternally and is able to make intercession for all who come to Him throughout history. He alone is holy and unstained by sin. He is separated from sinners and exalted to God’s right hand above the heavens.
Do you feel like you need an intermediary like a priest who could stand before the Holy Father on your behalf? Can you now list some things that make Jesus the only High Priest that we need?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your appointment of Jesus Christ, Your Son, as our High Priest eternally. I am comforted to know that Jesus knows my every weakness and temptation and willingly intercedes for me. Use me to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and High Priest to those needing a Savior. Amen.
Our Great High Priest!
Scripture reading for October 21st: Hebrews 7
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Hebrews 7: 23-26 “Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them. Such a High Priest meets our need–one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.”
Levitical priests were appointed by men and served until their deaths. When they went before God, they needed a sacrifice for their own sins as well as the sins of the people they represented. But Jesus Christ became a priest after the order of Melchizedek based on several amazing truths. He was appointed a Priest forever by God’s oath, not by men. He could serve as a permanent Priest because of His endless life, being raised from the dead. He offered Himself, His body and blood, as the atonement sufficient to pay the penalty of the sins of all mankind and He sat down, His work of salvation finished once for all!
Observations for over-comers: Jesus Christ, our High Priest, meets every need we have or will ever have. He alone can save us completely! “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a Priest forever, in the Order of Melchizedek.”” (Psalm 110:4, Hebrews 7:17)
Jesus: Priest like Melchizedek
Scripture reading for October 22nd: Hebrews 7
Melchizedek was an interesting character who suddenly appeared in the writing of Moses in Genesis 14:17-20. His name meant “king of righteousness” and he was also “king of Salem” which meant “king of peace”. Salem was the ancient name for Jerusalem, the eventual city of David and home of the temple of the “Most High God”. Melchizedek was a contemporary of Abram and Sarai as they were seeking to follow God by moving from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that God would show them. Melchizedek met Abram as he returned from a successful mission to rescue his nephew, Lot, who had been taken captive by King Kedoloamer, who ruled over Sodom and several other cities.
Melchizedek was a great man, honored by Abram with a tenth of all the spoils of his victory. But Melchizedek had no record of a father or mother or a genealogy. There is no record of his death. He is a type of the Son of God, remaining a ‘Priest forever’.
Jesus Christ was a descendant of Judah, not of Levi or Aaron. By Old Testament Law, Jesus could not become a high priest of Aaron’s order. Aaron’s descendants automatically, by birth in his line, became priests. At death their priesthood ceased. But Jesus was appointed a High Priest by God’s oath. “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a Priest forever.” . . “Now there have been many of those priests since death prevented them form continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent priesthood. Therefore He is able to Save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:23-25) Our Perfect Eternal High Priest Jesus Christ will meet all our needs forever!