Jesus, the People's High Priest Forever

Give Praise to God

Remembering with Joy

Hebrews 7:18-28 The Message

15-19 But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—“priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek.” The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.
20-22 The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:
God gave his word;
    he won’t take it back:
“You’re the permanent priest.”
This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.
23-25 Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus’ priesthood is permanent. He’s there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.  Human priests were imperfect.  Christ has been perfected through his human existence so that we may have absolute confidence and trust in His priesthood.  Christ's authority extends from God to resolve the consequences of sin.

For Reflection

What is the blessing of having Jesus as the High Priest?  It means we have the most high-status representation of our humanity at the right hand of God. Christ intercedes for us. Because we are prone to sin, we can turn directly to Christ for forgiveness and the blessings of grace.

Pray

Confess your shortcomings to Jesus. Pray so that you will commit your life, sacrificially, to the will of God as revealed in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

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