An Indestructible Life
Opening Prayer
O God, many things are troubling me. Help me to set them aside, and renew my hope.
Read Hebrews 7:11–22
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. 13 He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14 For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15 And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is declared:
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him:
“The Lord has sworn
and will not change his mind:
‘You are a priest forever.’”
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does knowing that Jesus will never fail change your perspective about problems that may be troubling you?Melchizedek isn’t only mentioned in Genesis 14. He also turns up in Psalm 110. This psalm was understood for centuries as one that pointed towards the Messiah. It affirms that the coming Messiah will be both a king and a priest like Melchizedek.
For the writer of Hebrews, the Messiah who was predicted in Psalm 110 has now come. He has come, specifically, as a new kind of priest. The former Old Testament priesthood could not promise perfect forgiveness for sin. Jesus is different, however, because, like Melchizedek, he is “a priest forever” through the power of his indestructible life—in other words, through the power of the resurrection.
Jesus lives forever, and what’s more God has made his mind up about all this, once for all. That means that we have a really solid foundation on which to stand. How firm is your foothold on that foundation? Are you really living by faith in Jesus, risen from the dead?
Apply
The Lord’s commitment to you is eternal and unshakeable. Take a few moments to let that fact sink in.
Closing prayer
Jesus, I praise You that You will never change or fail. I rest secure in the knowledge of the power of Your resurrection.
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