God's indestructible life
And this becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears, who did not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent but based on the power of an indestructible life. For it has been testified: You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:15-17 CSB
From verses 15 to the end of the chapter, the author will make his case on how believers can be safe in Jesus’ arms as He has established a superior new priesthood. Taking in the points made prior, verse 15 says that the need for this new priesthood “becomes clearer if another priest like Melchizedek appears.” As we saw yesterday, although Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, He qualifies for this position. The priests of the Old Testament were human, and therefore, subject to sin nature. In doing so, they could not completely care for the spiritual needs of the people. Yet, Christ, who is perfect, was tempted in all points, yet never sinned, making Him the perfect channel between us and God. Verse 16 shows two points on why Jesus fits this role. First, He did “not become a priest based on a legal regulation about physical descent.” As said previously, Jesus did not come from the line of Aaron. The Law stipulated that the high priest would come exclusively from His line, the Levites. However, the legal binding did not guarantee spiritual and moral purity. Christ, displayed purity throughout His life, being sinless. Second, Christ became the High Priest through “the power of an indestructible life.” High priest after high priest were limited by their physical bodies. Yet, Jesus, not only offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice to cleanse us of our sin and present us holy before God, but He was raised from the dead and is in the presence of the Father in Heaven, showing His power over death. He is the eternal High Priest. Verse 17 further testifies of Jesus’ role as the High Priest, as God the Father spoke in Psalm 110:4, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” If Jesus’ lineage and miraculous power was not enough to convince the readers of Hebrews of His role as the High Priest of this new priesthood, the fact that God the Father spoke of Christ and placed Him in this position should be more than adequate evidence of Jesus’ position in our lives, and therefore, should comfort us knowing that we can approach Him. What Christ had accomplished on our behalf at the cross, to us who placed our trust in Him as Lord and Savior, is permanent.
Blessings,
Isaac De Guzman
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