Hebrews 7:23-24

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  

Understanding the priesthood of Jesus can bring us into an understanding of the past, the present, and the future. Under Mosaic law, the priests offered sacrifices to atone for their own sins and the sins of the people. This had to be done repeatedly to cover sins committed every day. These priests died and had to be replaced by new priests, all from the lineage of Levi as prescribed by Mosaic Law.

Jesus supersedes these priests because He died and rose again, continuing as High Priest for eternity. Yes, eternity. Our scripture today in Hebrews, likens Jesus to Melchizedek who ministered to Abraham in Genesis 14:18-20. Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abraham and blessed him. Jesus in his role as the eternal High Priest sustains us and blesses us today, tomorrow, and without end.  

The Book of Hebrews not only refers to Jesus as High Priest but also as Prophet or Apostle (3:1) and as King, crowned and exalted to His throne of grace (1: 3, 2:9, 4:16) Why is the important? These three roles were significant in the history of the Old Testament as God used all three agencies to speak to the Israelites, lead them, and atone for their sins. But again, these roles were filled by broken men who couldn’t continue in that role because of death.

Jesus has no such limitation. All three roles are complete and perfect in Him, the One who death has no hold! As King, His throne will never fall. As Prophet, His word stands forever. And as High Priest, His advocacy for us will never wane. He is all-sufficient.

But let’s take a step back. What we have discussed thus far is Jesus’ eternity in the context of his suffering, death, and resurrection to glory. But that eternity didn’t just start when he was born a child to Mary. As a member of the Trinity, which we discussed two weeks ago in our text devotions, Jesus pre-existed and has no end or beginning (Revelation 22:13-16).  

And this is a demonstration of the immense and deep love of God for the fallen man. Jesus would step out of His heavenly realm to take on flesh. Yes, the eternal God who was involved in the Creation that was perfect at the beginning (John 1:1-3), would now become embedded in the Creation that had fallen. Perfection had now taken on a perishable body. But Jesus lived a sinless life on earth, carried the sin penalty for all on the cross, and was resurrected bodily.  We too will share in this resurrection when our corruptible bodies will be made new, worthy of eternity. That is our faith and hope when we trust Him as our Lord and Savior.

God truly works from the inside not the outside, doesn’t He? Jesus came to earth as a humble and obedient son to the Father, pointing to man’s diseased heart, and providing them with the cure in Himself. He stepped out of timelessness into time, demonstrating to mankind that an eternal hope is within their grasp.

Jesus wants us to know that after death, there is eternal life for those who trust Him and eternal condemnation for those who don’t (Revelation 20:11-15). Don’t miss this truth: Jesus is eternal, and that reality should bring clarity to what we do today. As believers, our decisions and mindset should be on what brings eternal glory to God and place utmost significance in eternal rewards, not earthly rewards. Jesus in the Gospels is a great place to start understanding what eternal focus is all about. Have a great day!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Give me more and more understanding of what eternity is and isn’t. In my limited mind, I can’t grasp it fully, but I know your spirit living in me makes all things known. Deepen my trust in your promises of eternal life so that my joy and hope in this life continues to grow. Thank you for Son’s obedience to take on my sin so that I might share in the promise of eternal life. In His name, I pray. Amen!