Slices
Prepare
Reflect on how you will ‘continue to work out your salvation’, while never forgetting that ‘it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose’ (Philippians 2:12b,13, NIV).
Bible passage
Jesus like Melchizedek
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 for ever,
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 for ever.”’
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant.
23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives for ever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a high priest truly meets our need – one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect for ever.
Explore
Medical equipment and laboratory testing help doctors to diagnose diseases. But a diagnosis is no cure. Based on the diagnosis, the physician prescribes surgical or medical interventions.
While effective in diagnosing the human condition, the law was ineffectual – ‘weak and useless’ (v 18b) – in delivering us from sin. The law – which serves as the standard by which our moral standing is evaluated – leads to a damning diagnosis: ‘all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). But the law offers neither help in upholding those high standards nor hope of deliverance. It is only through our deliverer, Jesus, that we may ‘draw near to God’ (v 19b).
The work of the earlier priests was impermanent, inadequate, imperfect. The priesthood of Jesus is characterised by permanence (‘a priest for ever’), power (‘an indestructible life’) and perfection (‘holy, blameless, pure’). His work is twofold: the completed work of the cross, which accomplished salvation; and his continual work of intercession, by which he empowers us to partner with him in the ongoing work of our sanctification (v 25b).
Respond
Let your mind be blown away by the thought that Jesus is praying for you! What request do you have for him today?
Deeper Bible study
I repeat to myself again and again the words ‘the power of an indestructible life’ (v 16).
I notice that the beginning, the middle and the end of today’s reading mention perfection: the Law, the ancestry regulations (v 16) of the Levitical priests made nothing perfect, but the Son ‘has been made perfect for ever’ (v 28). Who he is and what he has done equips him perfectly ‘to save completely’ (v 25) all those who come to God through him. I pause to worship Jesus for all those whom he has ever saved, everywhere, for all time, to the uttermost, the great army of the saints, which has never lost a member through death.
I return to the passage to trace in more detail the wonderful perfection of Jesus’ priestly office and work: he transcends, in his descent from Judah, all the priests in the line of Levi and Aaron; he is superior to the mysterious King Melchizedek – and the words ‘for ever’ (v 17) introduce us to the ‘better hope’ (v 19); the oath confirming the promise of his appointment1 establishes him as the guarantor of a ‘better covenant’ (v 22); and the power of his indestructible life means that his triumphant prayers for us never cease (v 25).
I bring my meditations to a climax by learning verses 26–28 by heart, pausing on every detail stated here, setting out Jesus’ total adequacy to the achievement, maintenance and completion of my salvation. I note especially the contrast between the expressions ‘day after day’ and ‘once for all’; and between the words ‘weakness’ and ‘perfect’. I give thanks for every person who has helped me in my faith journey; and I resolve to deepen my dependency on today’s High Priest who ‘meets our need’.
‘The work which his goodness began / the arm of his strength will complete; / his promise is yea and amen / and never was forfeited yet. / Things future, nor things that are now / nor all things below or above, / can make him his purpose forgo / or sever my soul from his love.’2
1 Heb 6:13–20 2 Augustus Toplady, 1740–78, ‘A debtor to mercy alone’
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 15,16; 1 Corinthians 7
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for the development of Rooted hubs in Pembrokeshire that will enable young people to explore Christian faith at their own pace with the help of adults who will accompany them on the journey.
