Jesus Is My Priest - Hebrews 7:20-22

Hebrews 7:20–22 NIV

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.

Not just a King.

It's pretty common for us to embrace the relationship with Jesus as our King. He is, after all, God the Son, who will reign over the final kingdom forever and ever. We can also easily associate his royalty with Lord and Savior. But today’s scripture reveals an equally important position and title Jesus has. He is both king AND priest.

The role of the priest.

We associate biblical priests with offering sacrifices, abiding by laws, wearing special clothes. But the main function of a priest is to keep the good standing between God and His people. Sacrifices were done, rituals cleansings, etc. were all done for the sake of keeping the people right before God.

Much of what Jesus did when he was on the earth were actually functions of a priest, not a king. For instance, healing was a function of a priest. Forgiveness of sins was the function of a priest. Even teaching, what Jesus did so often, is the function of a priest. The problem is most people were expecting a king, to bring in a political change.

1. Forgiven Fully & Forever

Hebrews 7:25–27 “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.”

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is eternal. That means that there is no need for a new offering each time we sin. Christ’s sacrifice was perfect in every way, fulfilling every requirement of making us right before God for all time.

This should be encouraging to you because what this is telling us is that believers never need to worry about their standing in front of God. It’s the difference between playing to avoid a game over, versus playing to earn achievements.

One comes with the fear of failure, loss, and shame. The other is an opportunity to enjoy the game more fully.

Jesus being our priests allows us to enjoy life more fully - through the right desires of living as God intended. We don’t live slaves to sins, worrying about death. We don’t need to be ashamed or fearing judgment day.

2. Anointed with the Spirit

Priests would determine what is clean and unclean and in doing so would create a division among God’s people. If you were unclean, for whatever reason, you were not allowed to worship in the temple. In fact, your uncleanliness made other people and things unclean. Some of your moms are like priests right?

3. Interceded For

Hebrews 4:14–16 “14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

And the present manifestation of his heart for his people is his constant interceding on their behalf.

Dane C. Ortlund

A better everything

The priestly order of Melchizedek is in all ways better than the priestly order of the Israelites. The priest is better, the sacrifice is better, the effects are eternal, and the promises are better. This is why the new covenant of grace is far better than the covenant of the law.