The power of an indestructible life.

Hebrews 7:1-2, 11-17, For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. ... Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, rather than one named after the order of Aaron? For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. For the one of whom these things are spoken belonged to another tribe, from which no one has ever served at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, and in connection with that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. This becomes even more evident when another priest arises in the likeness of Melchizedek, who has become a priest, not on the basis of a legal requirement concerning bodily descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jesus was not of the Levitical priestly tribe, but of Judah, the tribe of kings. Under the law, the king and priest could never be the same person. Jesus Christ came in perfection, with His “indestructible life” and now takes the role of prophet, priest and king; all three in one person, King of King and Lord of Lords. The roles that could never be entrusted to a flawed, imperfect individual human are perfectly fulfilled!

We magnify You that we may know more and more of Your glory in our lives, Lord Jesus; use us today as Your eyes, heart and hands in this world.

ESV Lectionary