Hebrews 7 — He Ever Liveth to Make Intercession for Them
Melchizedek — king of Salem, priest of the most high God — met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings; Abraham gave him a tenth. Without father, without mother, without descent — made like unto the Son of God; he abideth a priest continually. Consider how great this man was. Now the Levites take tithes; Levi paid tithes through Abraham. There is a disannulling of the commandment going before; the law made nothing perfect. Christ became a priest with an oath — the Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
— Hebrews 7:25
- v.1-10 Melchizedek's greatness
- v.11-19 The priesthood changed; the law set aside
- v.20-28 Christ's priesthood by oath, unchangeable, perfect
Unchangeable priesthood. The Levitical priesthood changed hands — death interrupted it. Christ lives forever; His office never passes to another.
A comfort for every Christian. The Priest you came to is the Priest you have. He will not be replaced. The relationship is not subject to turnover.
To the uttermost. No part of salvation left undone; no part of the saved person left unsaved. The reach is total.
Ever liveth to make intercession. The risen Christ is praying for His people right now. The throne is occupied by an active Intercessor, not a passive memorial.
Once. The word that defines Christ's sacrifice throughout Hebrews. Not daily, not yearly — once. The repetition of the old priesthood proved its inadequacy; the once-for-all-ness of Christ proves the opposite.
He offered up himself. The Priest is the Sacrifice. Priest and offering merged in one Person. The bloodshed He brought to the altar was His own.
Verse 25 is the most encouraging fact for the praying Christian. Christ ever liveth to make intercession for you. While you sleep, He prays. While you fail, He prays. While you walk in obedience, He prays. The Priest is not a distant figurehead; He is the One pleading your case continually.
Chapter 7 is the chapter of the unchangeable, undying Priest. Melchizedek's shadow gives way to Christ's substance. He saves to the uttermost; He intercedes ever; He offered Himself once for all. No verse in Hebrews packs more comfort for the believer than verse 25.
The law made nothing perfect. A blunt assessment of the law's function — it diagnoses but cannot cure. The believer's perfection comes by another route.
The bringing in of a better hope. Christ Himself, the hope that draws near. Where law could only command from a distance, the new covenant places the believer near.