A Permanent Priesthood
11-14If
the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the
giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn't have
been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek. But since it
didn't get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought
with it a radical new kind of law. There is no way of understanding
this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood, which is why there is
nothing in Jesus' family tree connecting him with that priestly line.
15-19But
the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like
Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of
resurrection life—he lives!—"priest forever in the royal order of
Melchizedek." The former way of doing things, a system of commandments
that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law
brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work,
that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.
20-22The
old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to
son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and
called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:
God gave his word;
he won't take it back:
"You're the permanent priest."
This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.
23-25Earlier
there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But
Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save
everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for
them.
26-28So now
we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy,
uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God's presence
in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn't have to
offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to
us and our sins. He's done it, once and for all: offered up himself as
the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able
to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which
came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.