Jesus Intercedes for You (Heb. 7:1-28)

Intro

We often talk about interceding for others. What does that mean? To intercede is to intervene on behalf of another; to petition on behalf of another.

We do that in prayer for one another. But listen to this: Jesus intercedes for you.

The Savior of the world intercedes for you.

I want to explore what that looks like exactly, but first let’s understand the context and teaching of this chapter 7 of Hebrews.

Let’s start with this mysterious character, Melchizedek. He was a priest, but an unusual one. He received a tithe from Abraham. That’s how chapter 7 begins, reminding of us of what is recorded in . Abraham gives a tenth to Melchizedek ().

Chapter 7 then tells a little bit more about Melchizedek and then talks again about this tithe from Abraham in v.6. Now look at v.7— The “inferior” = Abraham, and thus, Levi. The “superior” = Melchizedek.

Let’s take a minute to understand some genealogy and the history of the priesthood through Aaron and the tribe of Levi.

V.4 mentions Abraham and v.5 mentions those descendants of Levi who receive the priestly office. Insert genealogy slide. Trace the genealogy:

Abraham is the father of Isaac.

Isaac is the father of Jacob.

Jacob is the father of Levi.

Levi is the father of Kohath.

Kohath is the father of Amram. Now tells us that Amram married his aunt. His father’s sister. Her name was Jochebded.

Amram and Jochebed were the parents of Miriam, Moses, and Aaron. So their mother was also their great-aunt...

We went through Abraham to Levi ultimately to Aaron. Levi had 3 sons: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari (not seen on the family tree slide image). Each of those clans performed priestly duties.

But tells us that the lineage of Aaron specifically is where the priests would come. Levitical priests were subject to Aaronic priests. His lineage would serve as high priests.

Now back to Melchizedek. Let me be clear about this: Melchizedek was a shadow of something even better to come.

v.3— No genealogy or life span info given in Scripture.

v.6— “one without this lineage”— Melchizedek wasn’t a descendent of Levi.

v.11— there was a need for some other priest than from the tribe of Levi and lineage of Aaron. Perfection could not come from the Levitical priesthood;

B/c it depended on fallible people— those of “physical descent” (v.16) from Aaron.

It was perpetuating a “former commandment” (v.18) that was “weak and useless”— the Levitical Law points out sin (), but it could not completely satisfy the righteous requirement of the Law--- righteousness and the wrath of God.

But v.14 tells us about the One who would come not from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Judah;

One who would become a priest not because of a legal requirement coming from the lineage of Aaron, but because He was appointed a high priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, by God the Father.

In Jesus, a better hope was introduced (v.19).

Jesus is the guarantor of a better covenant (v.22).

V.23-24; 26-28 tells us that other priests would die, but Jesus holds the “priesthood permanently” (v.24).

And because He holds this priesthood permanently, look at v.25— he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Save to the uttermost. Or some of you might read something in your translation as save completely. What is this a reference to?

The totality of our salvation. The fact that Jesus saves totally, completely, and forever those who approach God through the priestly ministry of the Son.

Here’s what that looks like:

In , Satan is described as the accuser of the brethren.

Now we know that he will be thrown down one day, but for right now, the image is this: In God’s courtroom, we could stand condemned in our sin. We could go before the Lord and at any moment, Satan could say to God— Look at Ryan, look at what he’s done. See— he’s not fit for your kingdom. He’s not righteous, he’s not holy. He’s a dirty rotten sinner.

Satan could say that at any time before the Father about any one of us.

And he would be right.

But listen to : “Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (, ESV)

Jesus Christ— fully human, fully divine. He’s always been that way. He’s eternally human and divine. He’s at the right hand of God, and He is interceding for us. He’s intervening on behalf of us. He’s petitioning on behalf of you!

So when Satan, the accuser of the brethren is trying to convince God the Father that you are not worthy of the kingdom of God, Jesus is sitting there and he says,

but my blood covers him. And because of that, I have made him righteous.

All a person can do is stand guilty before a holy and righteous God.

But Jesus intercedes for you, and because He does that, He is the eternal high priest, the only One we need, who saves us to the uttermost.

Without Jesus, the best you can do is stand condemned.

With Jesus, you can stand in righteousness.