Jesus, Our Great High Priest

Prayer

Today we are going to do our best to cover Hebrews Chapters 7 & 8 so as you turn in your bibles to Hebrews 7 this morning I want to introduce todays message with a brief explanation and illustration of the role of a priest.

Last week we ended on these two verses from Hebrews 6:19–20

“19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.”

Across the ages, across continents and cultures, people have shared a deep, unshakable sense that there’s a gap between them and God — and we need help to bridge it. You can see it in the temples people have built, the sacrifices they’ve offered, the candles they’ve lit, the rituals they’ve followed. All of it speaks to a common cry of the human heart: “How do I get to God?”

There’s something in us that knows—we’re not enough. We fall short. We can’t just stroll into the presence of a holy God like everything’s fine.

It’s a bit like a child who breaks a window with a baseball. The moment it shatters, the fear sets in. They want to hide, because they know they’re in trouble. But if an older sibling steps in — someone who’s trusted by the parent — and says, “Let me talk to them first,” everything changes. The fear turns into hope, because someone is standing in the gap.

That’s what a priest does. And that’s exactly what Jesus has done for us. But He’s not just any priest. Hebrews 7 and 8 show us something remarkable — that Jesus is our Great High Priest: one who never dies, never fails, and who brings us into a better covenant with God. He’s the bridge. He’s the advocate. And because of Him, we can draw near to God with confidence.

Hebrews 7–8:2

New Living Translation Chapter 7

This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem and also a priest of God Most High. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against the kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him. 2 Then Abraham took a tenth of all he had captured in battle and gave it to Melchizedek. The name Melchizedek means “king of justice,” and king of Salem means “king of peace.” 3 There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God.

4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed.

8 The priests who collect tithes are men who die, so Melchizedek is greater than they are, because we are told that he lives on. 9 In addition, we might even say that these Levites—the ones who collect the tithe—paid a tithe to Melchizedek when their ancestor Abraham paid a tithe to him. 10 For although Levi wasn’t born yet, the seed from which he came was in Abraham’s body when Melchizedek collected the tithe from him.

11 So if the priesthood of Levi, on which the law was based, could have achieved the perfection God intended, why did God need to establish a different priesthood, with a priest in the order of Melchizedek instead of the order of Levi and Aaron?

12 And if the priesthood is changed, the law must also be changed to permit it. 13 For the priest we are talking about belongs to a different tribe, whose members have never served at the altar as priests. 14 What I mean is, our Lord came from the tribe of Judah, and Moses never mentioned priests coming from that tribe.

Jesus Is like Melchizedek

15 This change has been made very clear since a different priest, who is like Melchizedek, has appeared. 16 Jesus became a priest, not by meeting the physical requirement of belonging to the tribe of Levi, but by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed. 17 And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

18 Yes, the old requirement about the priesthood was set aside because it was weak and useless. 19 For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

20 This new system was established with a solemn oath. Aaron’s descendants became priests without such an oath, 21 but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him,

“The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:

‘You are a priest forever.’ ”

22 Because of this oath, Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God.

23 There were many priests under the old system, for death prevented them from remaining in office. 24 But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. 25 Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.

26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Here is the main point: We have a High Priest who sat down in the place of honor beside the throne of the majestic God in heaven. 2 There he ministers in the heavenly Tabernacle, the true place of worship that was built by the Lord and not by human hands.

I. Jesus Is a Priest Like Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:1–10)

The writer of Hebrews introduces us to a mysterious figure named Melchizedek. He appears in Genesis 14 — no family tree, no birth or death record. He’s just there: King of Salem (which means peace) and priest of God Most High.

Genesis 14:17–24 “17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” 22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already…”

Melchizedek is a picture of eternity.

7:1- He is both King and Priest 

Throughout the Old Testament, the throne and the altar were separated. Those who tried or attempted to invade the priests’ offices were judged by God. (King Saul in 1 Samuel 13)

But here in Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7, we find Melchizedek, a man who held both offices—king and priest.

The Priesthood of Aaron and his descendents (The Levites) never held that privilege.

It’s important to realize that he wasn’t a counterfeit priest either…his ministry was legitimate.

7:2- His name is significant

We know that in the bible, names and their meanings are important. Sometimes, after a great spiritual encounter/crisis a persons name was changed.

His name means “King of Righteousness,” and Salem means “peace.”

So he is a king of righteousness and peace — sound familiar?

Jesus is the true fulfillment of this pattern.

He is not from the priestly tribe of Levi, but from Judah — the tribe of kings.

7:3- His family history is different

Melchizedek wasn’t an angle or a supernatural creature. He is not a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ himself. No, he was a man, a real man, serving in a real city as a real king. BUt as far as the record is concerned, he was not born, nor did he die. No history, no lineage, no heritage.

He is a picture, a representation of the eternal ministry of Christ because of this. Though Christ experienced death, death was not the end, the grave couldn’t hold him and he rose on the 3rd day.

Since there is no account of Melchizedek’s death, as far as the record is concerned, it seems that he is still service as a priest and an king. This is another way in which he is like the eternal son of God.

This is something that separates Melchizedek from the Levitical Priests. By their very heritage they are considered priests…by their bloodline. They could not claim to have an eternal ministry nor could they claim to be both kings and priests…

Jesus is the true fulfillment of this pattern.

He is not from the priestly tribe of Levi, but from Judah — the tribe of kings and his priestly duties are unlike that of the Levitical heritage…they are like that of Melchizedek’s…eternal priest and king.

7:4-10- He received tithes from Abraham and blessed him.

We often think of tithing (giving one tenth) as a requirement of the law given to Moses.

Leviticus 27:30–32 “30 “One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. 31 If you want to buy back the Lord’s tenth of the grain or fruit, you must pay its value, plus 20 percent. 32 Count off every tenth animal from your herds and flocks and set them apart for the Lord as holy.”

And it is a requirement, but it didn not orginate with Moses. Abraham practiced tithing long before the Law was given. And by giving Melchizedek the tithe, Abraham affirms the legitimate ministry of Melchizedek as Priest-King.

So what does all this mean…Let me try and illustrate it for you like this…

Illustration:

A few weeks ago, the girls and I watched a powerful film called My Name is Khan. It tells the story of an Indian Muslim man named Khan, who lives with Asperger’s syndrome. After 9/11, he and others like him face discrimination and suspicion in the U.S. In the film, Khan marries a Hindu woman who has a son. But after a devastating tragedy, she tells him she won’t allow him back into their home unless he does something that seems impossible: meet the President of the United States.

Think about that — trying to reach the President. The layers of security, bureaucracy, and red tape. Now imagine doing that as a Muslim man in post-9/11 America. Khan travels from city to city, facing rejection and misunderstanding, even ending up on the radar of the anti-terrorism task force — all in a desperate attempt to get the President’s attention and save his family.

It was a difficult movie to watch. As a follower of Christ, there are still parts I’m wrestling with. But one thing has stayed with me: the sheer desperation of a man trying to reach someone powerful enough to change his life — and how impossible that journey felt.

Now consider this: what if the President wasn’t just a distant figure of authority — what if he were your brother? Suddenly, access isn’t earned or fought for. It’s given freely, through relationship.

That’s who Jesus is. King of Heaven — and yet also our Brother and High Priest. With Him, we don’t have to fight for access. He welcomes us in.

Application: No one else in history is both King and Priest. Political leaders have power but often lack purity. Priests may be devout but lack authority. Only Jesus combines both — He rules with power and ministers with mercy.

II. A Better Priesthood Brings a Better Hope (Hebrews 7:11–28)

The old priesthood — the system under Moses and the law — was never meant to be permanent.

Verse 11 asks: “If perfection could be attained through the Levitical priesthood, why was there a need for another priest?”

The answer: because the old system couldn't change hearts.

Jesus, by contrast:

Was appointed by God with an oath (v. 21).

Has a permanent priesthood (v. 24).

Always lives to intercede for us (v. 25).

Is holy, blameless, pure, and exalted above the heavens (v. 26).

Illustration: Old covenant priests were like substitute teachers — they come and go. Jesus is the permanent Teacher and Advocate who never leaves the room.

Application: This means you never have to wonder if God is listening. Jesus is always in the presence of God — and He’s praying for you. Your prayers don’t have to climb a ladder of religious performance — they ride on the shoulders of Christ.

In the coming weeks we are going to examine Chapters 8, 9 & 10 and see just what Jesus’ Priestly ministry means for you and me.

Jesus is:

A better Priest — eternal, holy, and interceding.

Mediating a better Covenant 

Serving in a better Sanctuary-

Through a better Sacrifice

So what should we do?

Hebrews 4:16 tells us:

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence…”

Call to Action:

Stop striving to earn God's approval — Jesus already earned it for you.

Start trusting in His constant presence and perfect work.

Step forward with boldness, knowing your High Priest is in heaven and your name is on His heart.