Hebrews 7:23-24

Hebrews 7:23-24

A permanent priesthood

Presumably some of the priests of Israel were popular with the people and well loved. They would begin their active ministry at the age of 30 and it was a job for life; there was no retirement age! Levites who were assistants, however, could commence their work at age 25 and retire from the hard physical jobs at 50.  It follows that, after years of active service amongst their contemporaries, the death of the priests was a huge shock and a cause of grief amongst the people. As is usual in the ways of men, the priestly conveyor belt passed through many generations, and no one knows exactly how many of these men has served at the altar and in the Temple of the Lord. Death obviously brought about the termination of their office and someone younger would step into their shoes.

None of the above applies to Jesus, by conquering death He established a permanent priesthood and His position is unshakeable, we will never grieve for Him or miss His priestly functions, His people are eternally under His care and provision. The world that abuses His name and curses Him have not a clue as to just how stupid and foolish they are, or to the authority and power of His position. Clearly, there is no comparison with the Aaronite priesthood or the Levitical system except that by ordaining these men, the Lord God was giving us a taster, an insight of something far more glorious that was to come. You and I have the privilege of approaching our High Priest at any moment of any day, His sacrifice for us is permanent, His official duties will never end, and He represents us before God continuously, forever! How blessed are we? How privileged to be part of this eternal project and to be worshippers in the eternal Temple of an eternal Priest who is forever present in the throne room of God. Hallelujah!

Let’s put this into persepective, we may be grateful that Jesus will always be available to us as our High Priest whilst we are alive, but He offers so much more. When we leave this earth, He will still be our High Priest. We will not enter the heavens alone, our Priest will continue to mediate for us, we will have access to God’s presence for He will be there at our side, affirming our credentials and representing our cause. He is the guarantor of our entry and our eternal future, His role for us will never end nor change. Another Hallelujah!

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