An Eternal Priesthood
Every High Priest under the Old Covenant eventually died. Therefore, a new one had to be appointed whenever death visited.
All of the Old Covenant High priests were of the tribe of Levi. It began with Aaron. Jesus, however, was of the tribe of Judah. He is the only High Priest from that tribe, and unlike all the other High Priests, Jesus is a High Priest forever, since He lives forever.
Moreover, Jesus ministers at the altar in heaven itself, where the real mercy seat resides, and Jesus did not offer the blood of an earthly lamb; He offered His own blood to atone for our sins past, present, and future. There will never be a need for another sacrifice, nor will there ever be a need for another earthly High Priest.
That is why it says in the letter to the Hebrews,
Hebrews 7:23 Also, there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore, He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.
You and I, who believe now, have a High Priest who lives to intercede on our behalf. Jesus is our forever mediator and High Priest. That word, intercession, is very important.
Intercession means Jesus is always taking a position with the Father that is in favor of us. He is continually looking out for our good and seeking our advancement. He can do this because His blood is a better blood, and His sacrifice of Himself is a better sacrifice that is forever. His sacrifice and blood were a once-and-for-all reality. He need not offer Himself over and over again. One time was enough for all time.
Hebrews 9:11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.
Only an eternal sacrifice and eternal Priesthood can provide an eternal redemption. Jesus did it all! More than that, His offering of Himself settles the matter of our sanctification.
Hebrews 10:10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
I praise Jesus for His eternal Priesthood and perfect sacrifice of Himself. I thank Him for a better blood that He offered and sprinkled on the real mercy seat in heaven. I thank Him for the eternal hope He has given to all who come to God through Him.
