Hebrews 7:15-28 ( with OT quotes in italics)
15 It is even more obvious when another priest arises, resembling Melchizedek, 16 one who has become a priest, not through a legal requirement concerning physical descent, but through the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of him,
‘You are a priest for ever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.’
18 There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual 19 (for the law made nothing perfect); there is, on the other hand, the introduction of a better hope, through which we approach God.
20 This was confirmed with an oath; for others who became priests took their office without an oath, 21 but this one became a priest with an oath, because of the one who said to him,
‘The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind,
“You are a priest for ever”’—
22 accordingly Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant.
23 Furthermore, 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 for ever. 25 Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
26 For it was fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, blameless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weakness, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect for ever.
Reflection
We have met Psalm 110 already. Its opening verse speaks of ‘my lord’ sitting in honour at God’s right hand, and for Hebrews this text comes to full meaning in Jesus’ ascension (1:3, 13). Today’s reading, however, uses another line from the psalm, which garlands Israel’s royal leader with ‘the priestly order of Melchizedek’ (110:4, quoted in 7:17 and 21). This, for Hebrews, is Jesus too – timeless, majestic and enduring.
As yesterday, the writer distinguishes Jesus from Israel’s temple priests. Two points in today’s verses. First, God’s oath (Ps 110:4) underlines and confirms Jesus’ role, whereas usual priestly ordination did not involve any oath (vv.20-22). God’s commitment to Jesus is as deliberate and dependable as the ancient promise to Abraham (6:13-15). Second, the priests of the temple served only temporarily (v.23). They died, and others took their place. Whereas Jesus’ priesthood is permanent (vv.24-25), embodying ‘the power of an indestructible life’ (v.16).
All this prepares the way for showing Jesus as ‘guarantee of a better covenant’ (v.22, and chapter 8). He offered a single sacrifice – his own life – in contrast to the endlessly repeated sacrifices of the Old Testament (v.27, and chapter 9). He is permanently, powerfully and perfectly able to save all who turn to him (vv.25-28).
Perfect priesthood, better covenant, effective sacrifice … a fault of some Christian theology over the years has been a tendency to misunderstand and disrespect Judaism. Yet Hebrews offers a different perception. Written from within the Jewish tradition, it points towards the fulfilment of this in Jesus. Reading this letter well should send us back to the Old Testament as a precious heritage, rich in promise. It will also direct us forward to Jesus, who is constantly ahead of us, urging us to press humbly onward in hope and trust.
Prayer
God of my past – personal, family, ethnic, national –
thank you for the people who shaped my heritage,
and the stories, values and virtues that you gave them.
Help me to follow the path of Jesus,
in ways that help the people around me
to trust him with their days and their years.