City Life Starter

By Megan Meier

The Word

20 “And it was not without an oath. For those who formerly became priests were made such without an oath, 21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him:

‘The Lord has sworn
    and will not change his mind,
‘You are a priest forever.’

22 This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.25 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.” Hebrews 7:20-25 ESV

Reflection

The Israelites had a long series of Levitical priests from different generations, with different names, different personalities, and different values (some not very godly). But God never promised they would live forever, and death kind of forces retirement. The only High Priest whom God declares lives forever is His Son Jesus Christ.   

The author quotes Psalm 110:4 to refer to Jesus as the Eternal High Priest. The whole of Psalm 110 is about the Son of God defeating His enemies and ruling forever as King. The Jews would have been very familiar with the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 15), it would have (and still is in Judaism today) been considered radical, even blasphemous, to believe a better covenant had been fulfilled. I’m sure many Messianic Jews were still struggling with this idea, especially when it cost their relationships with their Jewish friends and family and even their lives at the hands of the Roman Empire; hence the author’s reasoning for making his case for Jesus Christ. Jesus’ priesthood leads to a better covenant, to the completion of the Abrahamic covenant and God’s Promised Word at the very beginning (Genesis 3:15). Unlike the Levitical priests of the past, Jesus Christ is constant and will not change, He is completely without sin, and His priesthood is permanent as He lives forever.

The word uttermost means “furthest, greatest, most extreme.” Some versions say completely or at all times. The Levitical priests interceded for the people with animal sacrifices for the atonement of sins, but it was only temporary and a reminder of what was to come. Jesus, the Son of God, paid the price with His Life. His sacrifice on the cross fulfilled God’s requirement for our forgiveness once and for all. Unlike the atonement from animal sacrifices, the salvation Jesus gives is forever. We depend on Jesus for His past work on the cross and for His present work in our lives. He is our True High Priest because He lives forever, is fully God and fully man, and as He lived a perfect sinless life on earth, He is able to completely save us as the True Intercessor.  

Application

As of writing this devotional, many are without electricity, air-conditioning, or Internet because of the category 1 hurricane (I uploaded this devo at a Starbucks as my Internet is out). Way too many matters in life are unexpected and inconstant just like trying to figure out how much damage a hurricane will cause. But Jesus isn’t. He is constant and unchanging. Jesus Christ’s past work on the cross gave you the means of salvation once and for all, and all that you have to do is accept Him. what He did for you, and allow Him to work in your life.

Prayer

            Dear Jesus, thank You for being my true High Priest, for paying the price of my sins, and for interceding in my life. Help me to grow to be more like You in every way. In Your Name I pray, amen.