2 Kings 25; Psalm 144; Amos 1; Hebrews 7
In trying to be efficient, I’m always looking for a better way to do things. The book of Hebrews appeals to me because it was written at a time when Jewish Christians needed encouragement that following Jesus was the best way — better than their former religious rituals and beliefs.
In chapter 7, Jesus is compared to an OT priest named Melchizedek who took tithes from Abraham yet was not like the Levite priests. He was not of a priestly tribe and was said to have no beginning or end of days or life — like Jesus, he continued forever. This description leads into a more detailed comparison with the priesthood of Jesus Christ and shows that His priesthood was changed from the former priesthood in some ways. Therefore the law of God changed in some ways as a better hope had been introduced.
This passage brings important truths to all Christians as it describe Jesus as our High Priest . . .
This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant. 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 those 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 priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 7:22–28)
The main realities are that Jesus never sinned and that He does not die like the former priests. This means that He did not need to offer a daily sacrifice for Himself like they did; once was enough when He offered Himself as the sacrifice for all sin. It also means that He lives forever to intercede for those who believe in Him. I might miss or not recognize some of my sins, but all sin is totally confessed and covered because of His intercession for His people.
I also do not have to repeatedly confess the same failure as if He didn’t hear me the first time. His Word says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) He is the Savior and while confession is necessary, Jesus saves me, not a guilt/confession cycle of umpteen confessions.
The other reality is that following Jesus and becoming like Jesus means that I am also called to be a ‘priest’ or one who serves as an intermediary between the people and God, particularly when the people are not able or willing to come before God themselves. The OT priests had to be from the Levite tribe. They offered sacrifices for their own sin and sins of the people and had many responsibilities. NT priests are all who believe and recognize Christ as our sacrifice for sin. These verses describe what we do:
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 2:4–5)
While those who do not believe “stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do” those who believe are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:8–9)
Priests proclaim the Savior who died for our sin. By His blood He ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and He made us “a kingdom and priests to our God” and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:9–10) Priests have a grand job description!
APPLY: God is encouraging me with the task of intercession. I pray He will call people to Himself and do His will in their lives, forgiving sin and leading them in mercy and grace. I must also tell people about the wonder of who Jesus is and what He has done and will do for all who trust Him. This is a high calling from the One who lives forever and intercedes for me forever. I want to be like Him!
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