The Guarantor Of A Better Covenant
THE GUARANTOR OF A BETTER COVENANT
HEBREWS 7:20-25
Christ’s priesthood is permanent: he lives forever. He is therefore constantly interceding for us as we come to God.
The idea of permanence in Christ’s priesthood is very important. In the previous passage we read that the indissolubility which characterizes the life of Christ is significant. This is the basis of his priesthood. It makes it what it is. Now we find that there are important consequences to be drawn from it. Just as earlier, Abraham’s position was secured by a divine oath so it is with this priesthood. The indissoluble life would make it permanent even if it stood alone. But it does not stand alone. There is a divine oath to support it, and again we are referred to Psalm 110, this time to the words which refer to God’s having sworn “You are a priest forever.” So: both from the intrinsic nature of the life and the oath which God has sworn this priesthood is perpetual. The Aaronic priesthood was superseded in due time. Christ’s priesthood will never be superseded. And this makes the covenant that Jesus establishes “a better covenant” (7:22). The covenant stands for the whole way of approach to God. What was associated with Aaron involved the offering of animal sacrifices and it was hedged around with a variety of requirements laid on the worshiper. If the worshipers failed to perform these, the sacrifices were of no advantage. Later in this letter the point will be brought out that in any case animal sacrifices are of no benefit for saving people. They cannot put away sin (10:4). The way of approach which Jesus makes possible is a “better” way from every point of view.
But the one thing which is being hammered home at this point in the argument is the quality of permanence. Clearly, a covenant which depended on priests who could not continue was inferior to one which featured a priest whose life is eternal. The author goes on to notice that those priests were limited in their ministry because from time to time they died. Death has an inhibiting effect on a person’s work! But Christ is in sharp contrast. His priesthood is permanent. He lives forever (7:24). He is therefore always able to save those who come to God through him. His intercession for them never ends (7:25). His presence before the Father in his capacity as the crucified, risen and ascended One is in itself an intercession that never ends.
Thought 7:25: “I have prayed for you” (see also Luke 22:32).