The High Priest Forever

October 23, 2016 Background Scripture: Hebrews 7 Lesson Passage: Hebrews 7:1 – 3, 18 – 28 The tribe of Levi was set apart by God to serve the tabernacle in the wilderness and later the temple in Jerusalem. Moses and his family descended from Jacob’s son, Levi and were part of this tribe. Aaron, Moses’ brother, was the first High Priest of Israel and his sons were set apart to serve in the office of priest. The ministry of priest is often referred to as an order relative to a progenitor. For example, we could refer to the Levitical priesthood or a priest of the Aaronic order. The first reference connects the priest to the tribe that descended from Levi in general, whereas the second reference identifies the priest as a descendant of Aaron specifically. The secession of High Priests followed the lineage of Aaron. Therefore, in Judaism, all priests are from the tribe of Levi because they are descendants of Aaron. Prior to the institution of Judaism at Mt. Sinai, there were priests mentioned in the scriptures. The most mysterious of them all was the king-priest, Melchizedek. He was mysterious because he was not introduced as being related to anyone whether by birth or marriage. Likewise, there is no record of his death or where he went after he ministered to Abraham. What we are told about him is that he blessed Abraham and Abraham gave tithes of all he had to him. This brief exchange was enough to indicate that he was greater than the patriarch Abraham in that he blessed him and received tithes of him. Levi descended from Abraham as a great grandson. Levi’s descendants are commanded in the Law to receive tithes of their brethren. Melchizedek, on the other hand, received tithes of Abraham before the Law was given. The last Old Testament reference to Melchizedek is in the Psalms where his office is spoken of as an eternal order in recognition that he had no beginning or no end. The author of our lesson today presents Jesus’ priestly ministry as being of the order of Melchizedek which is in agreement with Psalm 110. Jesus’ priesthood could not be according to the Law because the Law stipulated that the priests had to be from the tribe of Levi. Jesus descended from the royal tribe of Judah. As a king-priest, Jesus could not be of the Aaronic order but instead his priesthood is of the order of Melchizedek. Furthermore, the priests who descended from Aaron all served temporarily because their service was interrupted by death. After Jesus, as High Priest, presented himself as an offering for sin before God, he then entered the eternal service of the office. Jesus’ priesthood will never end. This is further assurance for those who put their trust in Jesus. We never have to worry about Jesus being replaced. He lives forever to make intercession for the saints as he continuously speaks to God on behalf of the saints. There is no need for a saint to be concerned about losing their salvation. The one who saved us, Jesus, lives forever to intercede on our behalf. Therefore, he can forgive sin to the utmost. He is our High Priest forever. Robert C. Hudson September 17, 2016