A Perfect and Eternal Priest
Hebrews 7:11-28
Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? [Hebrews 7:11]
There was [and is] a need for another priestly order that would supersede Aaron’s. The Aaronic order came under God’s special revelation to the nation of Israel; Melchizedek’s order came under God’s general revelation to all mankind. “God’s general revelation is greater than His special revelation in two ways: it is older, and it influences 100 percent of mankind (see Ps. 19) instead of just a small percentage! Thus it was fitting that Abraham, as the representative of a younger, less universal kind of revelation should pay his tithe of acknowledgment to the representative of the general revelation.” [Eternity in Their Hearts by Don Richardson]
Jesus, no doubt, must be of the greater priestly order; firstly because He is a Perfect High Priest, and secondly because He is an Eternal High Priest. The Perfect and Eternal are expounded on in our passage this morning.
“Perfection,” “perfect,” and “perfected” in vv.11, 19, and 28, respectively, speak of completion, complete, and completed. It is sanctification, an ongoing process in this life of faith through the work of the Holy Spirit. The point is that our Perfect High Priest [without sin] is the One who helps us unto completion; and this He does behind the veil from the Holy of Holies. He [our Great High Priest, Jesus] “is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” [Heb 7:25]
Saving to the uttermost [“completely”] speaks of the perfection [the sanctification]; “always lives to make intercession” points to His eternal work as Priest; and “those who come to God through Him” beckons us to Him behind the veil in the Holy of Holies.
There is a definite need for a Perfect and Eternal High Priest Who reveals Himself to all mankind; and that is the Great High Priest Jesus Christ who comes after the order of Melchizedek.
