“The LORD has sworn and will not relent, You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Psalm 110:4
Here in Psalm 110 David prophecies that when the Messiah comes the Levitical priesthood will be annulled and the Melchizedekian priesthood will be established. The entire book of Hebrews was written to teach us the significance of the fact that Jesus is not just King of Kings, He is also Priest of Priests. But He is not a priest of the Aaronic priesthood which mediated the terms of the Old Covenant. Jesus is the High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, which means that everything has changed for the better.
Jesus is better than the angels who spoke the words of the Old Covenant (Hebrews 2:2). But Jesus is the Word. Jesus is better than Moses the servant of God (Hebrews 3: 5-6). But Jesus is the Son of God. Jesus is better than the Levitical Priesthood which was imperfect and temporary. (Hebrews 6:13-7:28). But Jesus’ priesthood is perfect, unchangeable, and forever. Jesus ministers in a better heavenly tabernacle of which the earthly tabernacle was a shadowy copy. His sacrifice was perfect, His intercession for us is eternal, and we could list several more ways in which the New Covenant is better than the Old.
Because Jesus is the eternal, perfect High Priest of the perfect order of Melchizedek, He is able to bring to perfection all those who are being sanctified by His intercession. (Hebrews 10:14). Jesus is King of Kings and Priest of Priests and has made His people also kings and priests to God. (Revelation 1:6). But how does this impact our day today?
In light of all these truths, the book of Hebrews has at least 6 “therefore statements” for us to consider. Therefore, we draw near to God with boldness and assurance of hope, holding fast to our confession without wavering. (Hebrews 10:19-23) Therefore, we can be confident and receive the reward of that confidence. (Hebrews 10:35) Therefore, we can lay aside the sin that so easily entangles us and run our race with endurance. (Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, we can be truly encouraged. (Hebrews 12:12) Therefore, we can serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom. (Hebrews 12:28) Therefore, we ought to continually offer the sacrifice of praise and give thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13:15)
All this from that one little verse in Psalm 110.
His mercy endures forever!
Pastor Flynn