Monday
Our Great High Priest
“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek…?” — (Hebrews 7:11 ESV)
A Sunday school teacher once asked her class, “Who was Melchizedek?” One child proudly raised his hand and said, “He’s that big green monster in the ocean who eats ships!” Clearly, he had confused Melchizedek with Godzilla. Sometimes, when we approach Hebrews 7, we feel just as lost as that child!
The book of Hebrews points us to Jesus as our Great High Priest. Unlike the Old Testament priests, who were limited by sin and death, Jesus perfectly fulfills the role. Hebrews shows us that He is both priest and King, standing forever to intercede for His people. In fact, the writer makes clear that Jesus is greater than the Levitical system, greater than the law, and greater than any earthly priesthood.
What makes Him “great” is not simply His title but His power to save completely (Hebrews 7:25). Earthly priests could only offer sacrifices repeatedly, but Jesus offered Himself once for all. His ministry doesn’t fade, doesn’t fail, and doesn’t need replacement. This matters deeply because our salvation rests not in rituals but in a living Savior who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you find comfort knowing that Jesus intercedes for you as your High Priest?
2. How might you live differently if you truly rested in His once-for-all sacrifice?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Great High Priest—perfect, eternal, and faithful. Help me rest in Your finished work and live with confidence in Your presence. Amen.
“Now if perfection had been attainable through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need would there have been for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek…?” — (Hebrews 7:11 ESV)
A Sunday school teacher once asked her class, “Who was Melchizedek?” One child proudly raised his hand and said, “He’s that big green monster in the ocean who eats ships!” Clearly, he had confused Melchizedek with Godzilla. Sometimes, when we approach Hebrews 7, we feel just as lost as that child!
The book of Hebrews points us to Jesus as our Great High Priest. Unlike the Old Testament priests, who were limited by sin and death, Jesus perfectly fulfills the role. Hebrews shows us that He is both priest and King, standing forever to intercede for His people. In fact, the writer makes clear that Jesus is greater than the Levitical system, greater than the law, and greater than any earthly priesthood.
What makes Him “great” is not simply His title but His power to save completely (Hebrews 7:25). Earthly priests could only offer sacrifices repeatedly, but Jesus offered Himself once for all. His ministry doesn’t fade, doesn’t fail, and doesn’t need replacement. This matters deeply because our salvation rests not in rituals but in a living Savior who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity.
Reflection Questions:
1. In what ways do you find comfort knowing that Jesus intercedes for you as your High Priest?
2. How might you live differently if you truly rested in His once-for-all sacrifice?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Great High Priest—perfect, eternal, and faithful. Help me rest in Your finished work and live with confidence in Your presence. Amen.
Tuesday
Who Was Melchizedek?
“He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.” — (Hebrews 7:2 ESV)
A pastor once joked, “If you ever want to quiet down a Bible study quickly, just ask, ‘Who was Melchizedek?’ Half the room will look confused, and the other half will just stare at the ceiling.” It’s true, Melchizedek is one of the Bible’s mysteries!
Hebrews 7 explains that Melchizedek was both a real person and a royal priest. Genesis 14 records him meeting Abraham after a battle, bringing bread and wine, and blessing him in the name of God Most High. His very name means “King of Righteousness,” and as king of Salem, he’s also “King of Peace.” He appears without genealogy or a recorded beginning or end, which makes him a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.
Why does this matter? Because Melchizedek reminds us that God was preparing the way for Jesus long before the law was given. He represents a priesthood greater than Levi’s, one not based on ancestry but on righteousness and peace. The mystery of Melchizedek points us to the majesty of Christ. When the Bible leaves questions unanswered, it’s often to magnify the One who ultimately answers them all: Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does the story of Melchizedek strengthen your understanding that Jesus’ priesthood is unique?
2. Why is it significant that Christ’s priesthood is not dependent on human lineage?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing through Melchizedek that Jesus is the true King of Righteousness and Peace. Help me fix my eyes on Him today. Amen.
“He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.” — (Hebrews 7:2 ESV)
A pastor once joked, “If you ever want to quiet down a Bible study quickly, just ask, ‘Who was Melchizedek?’ Half the room will look confused, and the other half will just stare at the ceiling.” It’s true, Melchizedek is one of the Bible’s mysteries!
Hebrews 7 explains that Melchizedek was both a real person and a royal priest. Genesis 14 records him meeting Abraham after a battle, bringing bread and wine, and blessing him in the name of God Most High. His very name means “King of Righteousness,” and as king of Salem, he’s also “King of Peace.” He appears without genealogy or a recorded beginning or end, which makes him a powerful foreshadowing of Jesus Christ.
Why does this matter? Because Melchizedek reminds us that God was preparing the way for Jesus long before the law was given. He represents a priesthood greater than Levi’s, one not based on ancestry but on righteousness and peace. The mystery of Melchizedek points us to the majesty of Christ. When the Bible leaves questions unanswered, it’s often to magnify the One who ultimately answers them all: Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does the story of Melchizedek strengthen your understanding that Jesus’ priesthood is unique?
2. Why is it significant that Christ’s priesthood is not dependent on human lineage?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for showing through Melchizedek that Jesus is the true King of Righteousness and Peace. Help me fix my eyes on Him today. Amen.
Wednesday
What Did He Do?
“See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!” — (Hebrews 7:4 ESV)
Comedian Steven Wright once quipped, “I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.” It’s silly because it’s backwards, like starting with the end before anything else is written. Hebrews says Abraham, the father of faith, gave a tithe to Melchizedek. That seems backward, too; shouldn’t Melchizedek have honored Abraham? But instead, Abraham acknowledges Melchizedek’s superiority.
This scene reveals two critical truths. First, Melchizedek blesses Abraham, and “it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior” (v. 7). Second, Abraham, the father of Levi, pays tithes through his lineage, showing Melchizedek’s priesthood outranks even the Levitical one.
The writer’s point is simple but profound: if Melchizedek’s priesthood was greater than Abraham’s, and Jesus comes as a priest in that order, then Jesus is far superior to the old covenant system. The sacrifices, the rituals, the Levitical line, all of it pointed forward to Christ.
This matters because many of us slip into thinking God accepts us based on our works, rituals, or traditions. But Hebrews says the greater priesthood has come. Our salvation is not earned; it’s given by the One who blesses us far beyond what we could ever repay.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is it important that Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s superiority?
2. How does this remind you that salvation depends on Jesus’ greatness, not your performance?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for sending a greater priest than Abraham or Levi could ever provide. Teach me to rest in the sufficiency of Jesus’ work and not in my own efforts. Amen.
“See how great this man was to whom Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the spoils!” — (Hebrews 7:4 ESV)
Comedian Steven Wright once quipped, “I’m writing a book. I’ve got the page numbers done.” It’s silly because it’s backwards, like starting with the end before anything else is written. Hebrews says Abraham, the father of faith, gave a tithe to Melchizedek. That seems backward, too; shouldn’t Melchizedek have honored Abraham? But instead, Abraham acknowledges Melchizedek’s superiority.
This scene reveals two critical truths. First, Melchizedek blesses Abraham, and “it is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior” (v. 7). Second, Abraham, the father of Levi, pays tithes through his lineage, showing Melchizedek’s priesthood outranks even the Levitical one.
The writer’s point is simple but profound: if Melchizedek’s priesthood was greater than Abraham’s, and Jesus comes as a priest in that order, then Jesus is far superior to the old covenant system. The sacrifices, the rituals, the Levitical line, all of it pointed forward to Christ.
This matters because many of us slip into thinking God accepts us based on our works, rituals, or traditions. But Hebrews says the greater priesthood has come. Our salvation is not earned; it’s given by the One who blesses us far beyond what we could ever repay.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why is it important that Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s superiority?
2. How does this remind you that salvation depends on Jesus’ greatness, not your performance?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for sending a greater priest than Abraham or Levi could ever provide. Teach me to rest in the sufficiency of Jesus’ work and not in my own efforts. Amen.
Thursday
We Needed a Better Priest
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” — (Hebrews 7:26 ESV)
A little boy once prayed before dinner, “Dear God, please make me a good boy, but if You can’t, don’t worry, I’m having a pretty good time the way I am!” His family laughed, but the truth is, we can’t make ourselves good enough. We need someone greater than ourselves to make us right with God.
The writer of Hebrews explains that the old priesthood couldn’t bring perfection. If the Levitical system had been enough, there would have been no need for another priest to arise. But God provided a better Priest, Jesus. Unlike the priests of Israel, who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins, Jesus was holy, innocent, and unstained. His priesthood doesn’t depend on family lineage but on the power of an indestructible life.
We needed a better priest because sin runs too deep for rituals and rules to cleanse. Only Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, could offer the perfect sacrifice and open the way to God. The good news is this: because we have a better Priest, we have a better hope.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why could the old system never make people perfect before God?
2. How does Jesus being your “better Priest” give you confidence in approaching God?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the better Priest. Help me stop trusting in my own goodness and rely fully on His perfect work. Amen.
“For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” — (Hebrews 7:26 ESV)
A little boy once prayed before dinner, “Dear God, please make me a good boy, but if You can’t, don’t worry, I’m having a pretty good time the way I am!” His family laughed, but the truth is, we can’t make ourselves good enough. We need someone greater than ourselves to make us right with God.
The writer of Hebrews explains that the old priesthood couldn’t bring perfection. If the Levitical system had been enough, there would have been no need for another priest to arise. But God provided a better Priest, Jesus. Unlike the priests of Israel, who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins, Jesus was holy, innocent, and unstained. His priesthood doesn’t depend on family lineage but on the power of an indestructible life.
We needed a better priest because sin runs too deep for rituals and rules to cleanse. Only Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, could offer the perfect sacrifice and open the way to God. The good news is this: because we have a better Priest, we have a better hope.
Reflection Questions:
1. Why could the old system never make people perfect before God?
2. How does Jesus being your “better Priest” give you confidence in approaching God?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for sending Jesus, the better Priest. Help me stop trusting in my own goodness and rely fully on His perfect work. Amen.
Friday
We Needed an Eternal Savior
“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” — (Hebrews 7:17 ESV)
During an elementary school graduation, the principal asked a boy what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without hesitation, he replied, “Retired.” The whole room laughed, but it’s a reminder that everything in this life fades. Jobs end, leaders change, people grow old.
That’s why Hebrews points us to Jesus as our eternal Savior. Unlike human priests who lived and died, Jesus “holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever” (v. 24). His intercession never stops, His saving power never weakens, and His presence never fades.
This truth is life-changing. We don’t have a temporary Savior who needs replacement or update. We have an eternal High Priest who saves to the uttermost all who draw near to God through Him. Because Jesus lives forever, your salvation is secure forever.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus’ eternal priesthood give you confidence about your salvation?
2. What does it mean for your daily life that Christ intercedes for you forever?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are my eternal Savior. Anchor my hope in You alone, and help me trust that Your intercession never ends. Amen.
“You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” — (Hebrews 7:17 ESV)
During an elementary school graduation, the principal asked a boy what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without hesitation, he replied, “Retired.” The whole room laughed, but it’s a reminder that everything in this life fades. Jobs end, leaders change, people grow old.
That’s why Hebrews points us to Jesus as our eternal Savior. Unlike human priests who lived and died, Jesus “holds His priesthood permanently, because He continues forever” (v. 24). His intercession never stops, His saving power never weakens, and His presence never fades.
This truth is life-changing. We don’t have a temporary Savior who needs replacement or update. We have an eternal High Priest who saves to the uttermost all who draw near to God through Him. Because Jesus lives forever, your salvation is secure forever.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Jesus’ eternal priesthood give you confidence about your salvation?
2. What does it mean for your daily life that Christ intercedes for you forever?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are my eternal Savior. Anchor my hope in You alone, and help me trust that Your intercession never ends. Amen.
Posted in Jesus Is Better: The Book of Hebrews
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