Transcript

William Howard Taft was president of the United States from 1909 to 1912. Later in life, in 1921, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court. He is the only person to ever serve as both President of America and a Supreme Court Justice. However, he was not able—nor is anyone lawfully allowed—to serve in both offices at the same time. This would violate the constitutional separation of powers, which keeps the three branches of government separate as a means of checks and balances. Besides, anyone serving in two branches at the same time would have too much power placed in his or her hands.

This is actually a biblical pattern for mankind. Back in the Old Testament under the Mosaic law, a similar division existed. Israel’s king was to come from the tribe of Judah and the royal line of David. The high priest had to come from the tribe of Levi and the family line of Aaron. One man could not hold both the offices of king and high priest. And all Jewish people knew this.

Jesus was from the royal tribe of Judah through both Joseph and Mary; He is the rightful king of Israel. But in Hebrews He is also declared to be our High Priest. Obviously, this is going to raise objections from the Jewish people. One man cannot be both king and high priest at the same time.

Remember, beloved, the book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians. So, the writer is going to take a little more time to explain how the high priesthood of King Jesus fits into God’s plan, and not just for them, but for every Christian today, both Jew and Gentile.

As we set sail today into Hebrews 7, it begins by taking us back in biblical history to Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation, and his unique meeting with this great priest of old known as Melchizedek.  

We have already been told in chapters 5 and 6 that Jesus is a priest after the order of Melchizedek. So, what is going on here?

Chapter 7 summarizes the meeting between Abraham and Melchizedek recorded in Genesis 14. This one-time appearance of Melchizedek is rather mysterious. But here is what we know:

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. (verse 1)

Abraham is returning from battle, where he freed his nephew, Lot, from pagan kings. As Abraham is headed home, Melchizedek appears on the scene. He is the very first priest mentioned in the Bible. You would not even know there was a priest back then unless you read this text. But Melchizedek is both priest and the King of Salem.

Verse 2 explains further:

And to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

Salem is from shalom, which means peace. He is ruling old Jerusalem, the city of peace. Now what else do we know about Melchizedek? Verse 3 reveals this:

He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

So, Melchizedek becomes a perfect forerunner—an illustration—of Jesus. Like Melchizedek, Jesus was both priest and king, and His priesthood was not based on His genealogy, but His divine appointment.

The author then continues in verses 4-10 to demonstrate Melchizedek’s greatness. Abraham gave this priest a tenth—a tithe—of the spoils of war. Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s authority as a priest of the Lord. And this took place long before Levi and his tribe of priests—who were descendants of Abraham—were even born.

And there is more. We are told in verse 6 that Melchizedek “blessed him who had the promises”—that is, the covenant promises God made to Abraham.

The writer then takes his argument another step in verses 9-10:

One might even say that Levi himself, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, for he was still in the loins of his ancestor when Melchizedek met him.

In other words, through Abraham’s acknowledgment of Melchizedek’s spiritual authority, Abraham’s descendants, particularly the priestly family of Levi, were symbolically acknowledging Melchizedek’s greatness as well.

Here is the point: The priesthood of Melchizedek is superior to the Levitical priesthood and Aaron’s high priesthood. Jesus’ priesthood—after the order of Melchizedek—is then also superior to the order of Aaron.

Think about it. The Old Testament priesthood was made up of sinful men. They were imperfect representatives. You can read in the Gospel accounts leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus how corrupt the priesthood, including the high priest, had become.

Yes, they were part of God’s plan, but a human priesthood would not be able to bring God’s plan of salvation to completion. A new priest needed to show up—one who was unique, not tainted by human sin, not limited by death or subject to change or [corruption].[1]

The old priesthood offered a temporary atonement through sacrifices. Jesus offered Himself as the sufficient, final Sacrifice. We are told in verse 19 that we have in Christ Jesus “a better hope” because He can draw us “near to God.” And that is because He can forgive our sins and cleanse our consciences.

Listen, the entire Old Testament system of the priesthood pointed to something better—Someone superior—a perfect Priest and a perfect Mediator through whom we can draw near to the very throne room of God.

And that is not all. Verse 22 says, “This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.” The law, the Mosaic covenant, has been set aside for something infinitely better. Why is it so much better?

The old covenant needed many priests because they all eventually died and had to be replaced. But Jesus conquered death by His resurrection and lives forever. So, as verse 24 says, He “holds his priesthood permanently.” Jesus will never need to be replaced. And by the way, His role as King is not up for a vote either. He is both King and High Priest forever.

With that, the author concludes his thoughts in verse 25:

Consequently, he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

You are saved—not by the skin of your teeth—but saved “to the uttermost.” That means completely, entirely, and eternally. And grasp this truth: Jesus is even now, as our High Priest, making intercession for us.

Are you having a tough day? Are you facing a difficult time in life right now? Jesus your High Priest is praying for you at this very moment.

He has not abandoned you. You have not slipped off His divine radar screen. He did not save you from sin and judgment to leave you out there on your own. You are on His prayer list, and He never stops thinking about you and praying for you. And only a divine High Priest could promise that ministry of intercession for every believer on earth—all at the same time.

So, as you face the challenges and problems of today, perhaps even as you are facing persecution of some sort, remind yourself of these promises from your ever-caring, interceding Savior.

Robert Murray McCheyne, a faithful pastor and author, put it this way some two hundred years ago: “If I could hear Jesus praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies; yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.”[2]

Remember that today.