Before reading this article take a moment and think about the past few days.
You and I have both fallen short of God’s standard. Now take another moment to marvel that there is a merciful and faithful High Priest named Jesus Christ that never turns his back on a sinner. Isn’t it nice to know that when you find yourself weak or unable to cope with life you, that can always go to Him and find the grace to help during your time of need? This is a great truth found in Hebrews chapter 7. Jesus is our High Priest!
The book of Hebrews was written to a specific Christian church and many of the members were Jews that had converted to Christianity, but were now thinking of giving it all up to go back to Judaism. For many years their ancestors had looked to the tribe of Aaron, the Levites, as their representative before God. The idea that a priest was needed was a long-standing cultural tradition. But, now they are Christians and under the new covenant and they no longer need a Levitical priest. Jesus replaced the need for a priest.
However, this presented a hang-up or problem for these new Christians, since Jesus was not from the priestly tribe of Aaron. Jesus came from the kingly line of Judah. Therefore, it was a big step for them to be told that they no longer needed Aaron descendants. So, it is the job of the writer of Hebrews to convince them that Jesus is the instituted priest at God’s command and, in fact, he is greater than any priest from their tradition.
Christ, described as being in the order of Melchizedek, means that Christ is superior to any priest under the order of Aaron and is of a higher order than anyone previous. The first ten verses takes us back to Genesis 14, where Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek who is described as both the king of righteousness and the king of Salem (which is later called Jerusalem). While all this was taking place, Levi was not yet born. As the chapter unfolds the argument clearly establishes that Melchizedek is greater than Levi.
In verse 1 it says, “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,” This establishes Melchizedek as both king and a priest, as was Jesus.
Then in verse 2, “to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace.” This really is an Old Testament picture of our Savior who was to come. And we know in verse 3, Melchizedek is described as not having parents or ancestors or descendants or even experiencing death. He appears onto the pages of the Old Testament and doesn’t owe his priesthood to another since he lives forever. This, yet again, is the prefigurement and the picture given to us of a perfect Jesus.
But, Jesus is much different than any human priest, since His priesthood is more powerful and effective. We see this in verses 11-19. The work of any priest or ceremonial law of the Old Testament could never bring about perfection. But verse 19 says, “for the Law made nothing perfect, and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” The laws and ceremony simply were not capable of completing what a new order of Priesthood found in Jesus Christ could. Jesus completely meets our need and is the better hope. Jesus had to come, die, and rise again for sinners and was sealed with an oath from God (Heb. 7:20-22), and this firmly established Christ’s priesthood.
Isn’t it nice to know that this King and Priest stay with us forever?
Verse 24 says, “but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently.” Of course, this would be superior to humanity. He never let us down and there is nobody that he can’t help.
Conclusion
Finally, we see in the final verses this, “For it is fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.”
I am in awe of God’s power and love as I reflect on these truths. The priesthood of Jesus is exactly and perfectly fitted for the sinner’s need. We need a representative before God that is Holy. A picture or typecast was not enough. Jesus, by rights, goes into the presence of God as perfect man that perfectly represents us. He speaks for us, and His intercession actually works! No weakness is found in Him!
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